Bacteria and enzymes produced therefrom and methods of using same

ABSTRACT

A bacteria referred to here as  Bacillus subtilis  6A-1 is provided, compositions thereof and processes for use of the bacteria, spores, cells, extracts and enzymes. The compositions which comprise the bacteria, spores, cells, extracts and/or enzymes are capable of degrading polysaccharides. Such compositions are capable of degrading cellulose, including plant-produced cellulose, microcrystalline cellulose and carboxymethyl cellulose. The bacteria produces at least two cellulose-degrading protein fractions. Cellulose degrading activity continues across pH2 to pH13.

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to previously filed provisional U.S.application Ser. No. 62/218,039, filed Sep. 14, 2015, the contents ofwhich are incorporated by reference in its entirety.

SEQUENCE LISTING

The instant application contains a Sequence Listing which has beensubmitted electronically in ASCII format and is hereby incorporated byreference in its entirety. Said ASCII copy, created on Sep. 9, 2016, isnamed 290001-US_SL.txt and is 5,503,786 bytes in size.

BACKGROUND

Microorganisms which are capable of degrading cellulose are useful inmultiple applications, but attempts to provide such microbials have metwith limited success. Commercial production of cellulase enzymes whichcan degrade native vegetative cellulose is most successful usingspecific types of fungi. However, fungi do not lend themselves to use inproducts which supply viable enzyme producing-microbes. It is veryproblematic to harvest spores or propagules of fungi. This makes it moredifficult to utilize viable cellulase producing fungi as a seed. Theviability of such fungal “seeds” for viable conveyance of fungi isrelatively sensitive to environmental conditions like heat, moisture,and desiccation. Bacteria have promise in such uses but applications canbe limited due to requirements of specific narrow pH conditions and thelike. Accordingly there is a need for new enzyme sources.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a graph showing cellulose production by Bacillus subtilis6A-1. The straight line shows cell count of 6A-1, the dotted line showsspore count and the dashed and dot line shows cellulose concentration.

FIG. 2 is a graph showing Bacillus subtilis 6A-1 growth relative totemperature.

FIG. 3 is a graph showing Bacillus subtilis 6A-1 enzyme productionrelative to temperature. The gray bar shows amylase production and thedotted bar shows cellulose production.

FIG. 4 is a graph showing Bacillus subtilis 6A-1 enzyme activity onthree types of cellulose at various pH levels. The dash and dot lineshows activity the microcrystalline cellulose Sigmacell® cellulose, thestraight line shows activity on the Avicel® cellulose.

FIG. 5 is a graph showing enzyme activity on straw ADF cellulose,Avicel® cellulose, Sigmacell® cellulose and cotton fiber. The darkhatched bar shows activity at pH6, the lighter dotted bar shows activityat pH12.

FIG. 6 is a graph showing Bacillus subtilis 6A-1 enzyme activity onβ-glucan (from barley) at various pH levels as compared to activity onAvicel® and carboxymethyl cellulose.

FIG. 7 is a graph showing Bacillus subtilis 6A-1 enzyme activity onvarious polysaccharides at pH6.0 and pH 12.0. The light gray bar showsactivity and pH 6.0 and the dark gray bar show activity at pH 12.0.

FIG. 8 shows Bacillus subtilis 6A-1 activity on three polysaccharides atpH 2.0, 6.0 and 12.0. The gray bar with hatched lines to the right showsactivity at pH 2.0, the dark gray bar with hatched lines to the leftshows activity at pH 6.0 and the dotted bar shows activity at pH 12.0.

FIG. 9 shows sugar released from Avicel® celluloses and carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) and Acid Detergent Fiber (ADF) 17% lignin (from straw)at various pH levels upon contact with Bacillus subtilis 6A-1 broth (100μl). The line with square points is ADF 17%, the open circles areAvicel® and the darkened circles are CMC.

FIG. 10 is a graph showing Bacillus subtilis 6A-1 cellulase activitymeasured by Cellulase and Amylase Enzyme Activity Determination at a pHof 6.3.

FIG. 11 is a graph showing cellulose activity measure by Cellulase andAmylase Enzyme Activity Determination at pH of 11.12.

FIG. 12 is a graph showing digestion of Avicel® cellulose usingβ-alanine acetic acid 8% PAG gel segment elutions at a pH of 6.3.

FIG. 13 is a graph showing digestion of Avicel® cellulose usingβ-alanine acetic acid 8% PAG gel segment elutions at a pH of 11.12.

FIG. 14 is a graph showing protease activity of Bacillus subtilis 6A-1supernatant at various pH levels.

FIG. 15 is a graph showing sugars released from Dried Distillers Grainbased swine ration as a result of treatment with 50 μL of Bacillussubtilis 6A-1 enzyme-containing broth.

FIG. 16 is a graph showing sugars released from Total Mixed Ration—fedruminants as a result of treatment with Bacillus subtilis 6A-1enzyme-containing SSWM at various pH levels.

SUMMARY

Described here is a bacterium which comprises the properties of a strainof Bacillus subtilis A-1, reference strain having been deposited as ATCCDeposition No. SD-6861. The bacillus composition including Bacillussubtilis 6A-1 or cells or spores may be used in various fieldsincluding, by way of example: ensilage, and the harvesting offeedstuffs, animal feed, as probiotics, ethanol production, wastetreatment, and plant growth enhancement. The production of hydrolyticenzymes by Bacillus subtilis 6A-1 may be obtained by culturing inmesophilic conditions and in an embodiment using a liquid or semi-solidmedium. The strain, spores, cells or extract may be dried, freeze dried,ground, filtered or combined with at least one excipient, carrier ordiluent to product a polysaccharide degrading composition. Threeenzymatically active protein fractions are produced by the strain andhave shown to have activity on plant-produced native (unmodified)cellulose, microcrystalline cellulose and carboxymethyl cellulose. Thestrain also has protease activity. In an embodiment it is active indegrading the resistant and recalcitrant components of feedstuffsidentified as acid detergent fiber (ADF). The strain retains suchactivity over a pH of 2 to 13. In a further embodiment the enzymes maybe extracted, and may be use alone or in combination with the cells,spores or bacteria.

DESCRIPTION

Disclosed here is a unique strain of bacillus identified as Bacillussubtilis 6A-1 and methods of using same. The strain is capable ofdegrading polysaccharides. The strain produces three distinctenzymatically active protein fractions which are capable of degradingcellulose. These active protein fractions are separable bypolyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The bacterium can degradepolysaccharides including cellulose and in an embodiment can degradeunmodified, plant-produced cellulose in addition to modified celluloseand microcrystalline cellulose.

A modified cellulose that can be degraded is carboxymethyl cellulosereferred to as CMC. Cellulose in the form of CMC readily forms aviscous, colloidal suspension in water, in contrast to crystallinecellulose, and the carboxymethyl groups of CMC are bound to hydroxylgroups of glucopyranose monomers. It is used in food and dairyapplications for thickening, water retention and dispersion and chemicalstability, for example. It is often used as its sodium salt: sodiumcarboxymethyl cellulose. The capacity to degrade carboxymethylcellulose, crystalline cellulose, and cellulose in its natural state issurprising.

Further, it can degrade particularly recalcitrant forms of AcidDetergent Fiber (ADF). This is the least digestible portion of edibleparts of the non-grain portion of plants and is what remains afterboiling a forage sample in acidic detergent. Components include lignin,cellulose, and insoluble nitrogen and do not include hemicellulose.Methods of measuring ADF are known, such as Van Soest and Wine (1968)“Determination of lignin and cellulose in acid-detergent fiber withpermanganate” J. Assoc. Offic. Anal. Chem. (AOAC) 51(4) 780-785. (Allreferences cited herein are incorporated herein by reference).

Further, Bacillus subtilis 6A-1 can degrade cellulose at a wide range ofpH, from pH2 to pH13. The bacillus excretes enzymes in extracellularmanner which provides for separation and harvesting of theseextracellular enzymes where desired. Alternatively, the bacillus cellsor spores produced by the organism, both cells and spores or acombination of cells and spores and extracted enzymes may be combinedfor use in various applications. It is shown non-starch polysaccharidesare degraded by enzymes produced by the bacillus. When used to breakdown carbohydrates of feed for animals, the result is a more efficientfeed conversion providing higher digestible sugar availability and lesscomplex sugars.

Bacillus subtilis 6A-1 can be grown in liquid or semi-solid medium, is amesophile, meaning that the strain has activity, grows, divides,multiplies, and metabolizes best at temperatures below 55° C. Thesevalues are not always absolute, but data indicates that 6A-1 does notgrow well at temperature 55° C. and above, and certainly it would not bepractical to grow the bacillus at or above that temperature, and thebacterium can grow and divides in a range of 20° C. to 50° C. with apreferred range of growth at 30° C. to 35° C. These properties providethat Bacillus subtilis 6A-1 is useful in a wide range of processes.

Bacillus subtilis 6A-1 multiplies and is easily produced in aerobicculture, but is also able to grow under moderately reduced oxygenconditions, often described as being microaerophilic in nature.(Determined by procedure utilizing Brain Heart Infusion Agar (BHIA(L007442) and BD GasPak® systems using BD BBL™ CampyPak™ PlusMicroaerophilic System Envelopes with Palladium Catalyst (8801241) fordetermination. BD Becton, Dickinson and Company Sparks, Md. 21152 US.)

Activity across a broad pH range provides it can be used in manyprocesses which have considerably different pH range requirements, andin processes requiring different pH ranges at different points of theprocess. The Bacillus subtilis 6A-1 may be employed in ensilagefermentation which requires a neutral to alkaline pH at initiation andacidic pH upon completion, as discussed below. When used in feed, the pHmay vary from alkaline to acidic throughout the processes of ingestionand digestion. By way of example without limitation, it is useful inprocesses utilizing degradation of cellulose of plant matter, inensilage, as an additive to animal or human feed, in waste remediation,and production of biogas. Reference culture of the strain has beendeposited with the American Type Culture Collection, ATCC No. SD-6861. Adeposit of describe the microorganism is and has been with the AmericanType Culture Collection (ATCC) Rockville, Md. 20852 USA, ATCC Deposit NoSD-6861 The deposit will be maintained in the ATCC depository, which isa public depository, for a period of 30 years or five years after themost recent request, or for the effective life of the patent, whicheveris longer, and will be replaced if it becomes nonviable during thatperiod. Additionally, Applicant has satisfied all the requirements of 37C.F.R. §§ 1.801-1.809, including providing an indication of theviability of the sample. Applicant imposes no restrictions on theavailability of the deposited material from the ATCC after issuance ofthe patent; however, Applicant has no authority to waive anyrestrictions imposed by law on the transfer of biological material orits transportation in commerce. Applicant does not waive any rights itmay have under this patent or any related protection available.

Other enzymes produced by the method described catalyze the degradationof other plant gums and recalcitrant beta-glucans including thebeta-linked glucan-polysaccharides of the types represented by lichenin,laminarin, oat spelt, barley and other naturally occurring forages,grasses, and vegetative materials such as wheat straw and corn stover.

As noted the bacteria itself may be used, or the cells or spores or theenzymes it produces. Further, Bacillus subtilis 6A-1 also includesasporgenous mutants, that is, bacteria that does not produce spores.Asporogenous mutants of bacillus species are well documented (Schaeffer,P. 1969 Sporulation and the Production of Antibiotics, Exoenzymes, andExotoxins, Bacteriol. Rev. 33:48-71). Early-blocked asporogenous mutantswill produce less protease and thus increase the amount of cellulolyticenzymes that can be harvested from the mutant of Bacillus subtilis 6A-1.Such a mutant strain would be able to produce Bacillus subtilis 6A-1exoenzymes and not produce spores, enabling the separate production ofenzymes and spores. The process of induction and isolation of Bacillussubtilis 6A-1 may in one embodiment be carried out according to theprocedure in Cutting, S. M. and Vander Horn, P. B. (Cutting, S. M. andVander Horn, P. B. Chapter 2 Genetic Analysis in Molecular BiologyMethods for Bacillus. Ed Harwood, C. R. and Cutting, S. M. 1990 JohnWiley & Sons) presented here by way of example without limitation. Aculture of the bacteria is grown in a rich nutrient media at 30° to 39°C. with vigorous aeration until optical density reaches 0.7-1.0. It isthen subjected to a mutagen such as ultraviolet light, ethylmethanesulfonate or N-methyl-N-nitro-N-guanidine, nitrous acid ando-methylhydroxylamine. Cells are washed by pelleting the cells bycentrifugation and resuspending them in 0.01M phosphate buffered salinetwice. An example of a protocol that may be used is as follows. Washedcells are used to inoculate sterile rich nutrient media and grow upovernight at 30° to 39° C. with vigorous aeration. The culture isstreaked on sporulating medium agar plates (ie Arret Kirshbaum orNutrient Sporulating) and incubate overnight at 30° to 39° C. Isolatedtransparent colonies (opaque and tan colonies are producing spores andcan be eliminated from consideration) are picked and used to inoculate arich nutrient media and incubate overnight at 30° to 39° C. withvigorous aeration. One ml of culture is exposed to 80° C. for one hourthen plated on rich media agar plates and incubate overnight at 30° to39° C. Cultures that are able to grow after heat exposure are notasporogenous and discarded. Remaining cultures are assayed to enzymeproduction.

Bacilli of various types may be produced and preserved in the followingmanner presented here by way of example without limitation. The bacteriamay be cultivated in either liquid or semi-solid fermentations. In thecase of liquid fermentations, viable bacterial cells and spores may beseparated and concentrated by filtration of several types includingtangential flow filtration and ultrafiltration, or centrifugation, Theviable bacterial cells and/or spores may be stabilized by drying or byintroduction of stabilizing substances such as propylene glycol, sodiumchloride, or other materials that are not toxic to the bacteria butbring about a biostatic state. They also may be subjected to freezing inpresence of cryoprotective substances. Drying or desiccation of cells orspores may be accomplished by spray drying, freeze drying, or theintroduction of carriers followed by air drying in mobile or staticlayers or other specialized processes such as fluidized bed drying.

Enzymes produced in liquid fermentation remain in liquid state duringdownstream processing steps outlined above. The steps above remove theenzyme-producing bacterial cells and/or spores from the liquid. Enzymesin one embodiment may be further concentrated by reverse osmosis orultrafiltration or they may be precipitated with salts such as ammoniumsulfate, the addition of alcohols and nonaqueous solvents, or by otherprecipitating means. The resultant enzymes, concentrated orunconcentrated, may be dried by spray drying or other methods outlinedabove, or they may be stabilized in liquid state by the addition ofsodium chloride, sucrose, propylene glycol, organic acids, or otherbiostatic additions which render the enzyme suspension stable andresistant to spoilage.

Enzymes produced via semi-solid fermentation (sometimes called “solidstate fermentation” or “koji process”) may be extracted by aqueous ornon-aqueous solvents and further purified by filtration, centrifugationand concentrated and/or stabilized by the methods taught above.Alternately, enzymes and bacterial cells and spores may be driedtogether in unseparated state by processes such as simple air drying orfluidized bed drying which preserves both enzyme activity and bacterialcell and spore viability.

The bacteria, spores, cells and/or enzyme products may be furthersubjected to treating by drying, freezing or filtering as discussedherein or grinding, standardization, or extension with carriers andextenders including, but not limited to: ground limestone and calciumcarbonate, sodium chloride, sodium bentonite, zeolites, or othernontoxic mineral compounds or with vegetable or grain or organicproducts or byproducts such as maltodextrin, dextrose, dried molasses,corn meal or other products, wheat middlings or other products, or evenvarious distillers' by products.

The bacteria, cells, spores or enzymes in an embodiment are combinedwith a carrier, excipient and/or diluent appropriate for the process inwhich it will be used. Where administered to an animal, it will benon-toxic to the animal. The carrier, excipient and/or diluent isprovided to provide improved properties of the composition, such asstandardizing, preserving and stabilizing, allowing the bacteria orcomponent to survived the digestive system of an animal, lubrication,and improve delivery. There are a myriad of such agents available whichmay be added. Without intending to be limiting, examples include wettingagents and lubricating agents, preservative agents, lipids, stabilizers,solubilizers and emulsifiers such as examples provided below.

Examples of Standardization of the Enzyme Product (Diluent):

-   Processed Grain By-Products (e.g. brewers dried grains, corn meal,    corn gluten meal, ground corn, corn cob fractions, distillers dried    grains or solubles, peanut skins, wheat bran, rice bran, rye    middlings, wheat middlings and grain sorghum mill feed).-   Roughage Products (e.g. ground straw, dried citrus meal, dried beet    pulp, almond hulls cottonseed hulls, oat hulls, ground corn cobs,    peanut hulls and rice hulls)-   Forage Products (e.g. alfalfa leaf meal, ground alfalfa or coastal    Bermuda grass hay, ground grass and dehydrated silage).-   Molasses Products (e.g. beet, cane or citrus molasses).-   Plant Protein Products (e.g. beans, cottonseed meal, peas, soybeans,    sunflower meal)-   Mineral Products (e.g. calcium carbonate, magnesium mica,    diatomaceous earth, bentonites, Zeolites, mineral salts)-   Carbohydrate Products (e.g. maltodextrin, starch, cellulose,    dextrose, fructose, sucrose, polydextrose, saccharin, powdered or    granulated sugar, maltose, sugar alcohols)-   Milk and whey products (e.g. dried whey, dried whey-product,    lactose, dried skimmed milk, dried milk protein, casein, sodium    caseinate.

Anti-caking (flow) agents for the enzyme product examples includewithout limitation: tricalcium phosphate, powdered cellulose, magnesiumstearate, sodium bicarbonate, sodium ferrocyanide, potassiumferrocyanide, calcium ferrocyanide, bone phosphate, sodium silicate,silicon dioxide, calcium silicate, magnesium trisilicate, talcum powder,sodium aluminosilicate, potassium aluminium silicate, calciumaluminosilicate, bentonite, aluminum silicate, stearic acid,polydimethylsiloxane.

Examples of preservatives include without limitation sodium chloride,potassium sorbate, calcium or sodium propionate, boric or boronic acidas well as all those “Chemical Preservatives” listed in Section 18 ofthe Official Publication of the Association of American Feed ControlOfficials, Inc. Champaign, Ill. (2015, 2016).

Emulsifiers and surfactants include without limitation polysorbates(40,60,80), acetylated monoglycerides, mono-oleates, polyglyceryl fattyacids, e.g. Polyglyceryl-3 Stearate, Polyglyceryl-3 Palmitate,Polyglyceryl-5 Laurate, Polyglyceryl-5; Oleates, Polyglyceryl-10Diisostearate, Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate, Glyceryl Oleate,additional polyglyceryl compounds, e.g. Polyglyceryl-6 Caprylate,Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate.

The following is provided as examples of processes in which the strainand products produced may be used without intending to be limiting.

Silage and Animal Feed

Digestion of cellulosic fiber and vegetable gum-type polysaccharides(non-starch polysaccharides—NSPs) represent continuing challenges invarious industries. NSPs represent the primary class of incompletelydigested feedstuff components in the area of animal feeding. NSPs mayalso represent anti-nutritional challenges in the practice of animalfeeding. These compounds result in changes in intestinal mobility andlower efficiency of production. Even though ruminant-type animals candigest much fiber, the more resistant NSPs and poor quality fiberrepresent appreciable challenges to complete digestion and mostefficient use of feedstuffs. In addition to harvested crops, naturallyhigh in fiber and less digestible, there are great quantities ofbyproducts of fuel ethanol production and other fibrous products whichfind their way into animal feeds. These byproducts containdifficult-to-digest substances, but represent potentially valuablefeedstuffs if they can be digested and assimilated by animals (SeeShurson, J. “Using Distiller's Grains By-products in Livestock andPoultry Feeds,” University of MN worldwidewebbiofuelscoproducts.umn.edu/sites/biodieselfeeds.cfans.umn.edu/files/cfansasset 413198.pdf). Distiller's Dried Grains (DDG's) are the driedresidue remaining after the starch fraction of corn is fermented withselected yeasts and enzymes to produce ethanol and carbon dioxide. Aftercomplete fermentation, the alcohol is removed by distillation and theremaining fermentation residues are produced including wet distiller'sgrains, condensed distillers solubles, and modified wet distillersgrains, which are fed to ruminants, or the condensed distiller'ssolubles is combined with the wet distiller's grains fraction and driedto produce DDGS. Of all of these co-products, DDGS is the predominantform produced and available to the global feed industry (Shurson, J).Similar grain byproducts are available from the brewing of beer or alesof various types.

Successful ensiling processes depend upon a significant level offermentable sugar that can be converted to organic acid. Ensiled cropssuch as legumes, small grains, and various temperate and tropicalgrasses have relatively high fiber and NSP content and may containlittle fermentable sugars. The fermentable sugars are converted tovolatile and non-volatile fatty acids by organic acid-producingbacteria. These bacteria require relatively simple sugars. The fattyacids that the aforementioned bacteria produce reduce the overall pH ofthe ensiled material and preserve it for use as needed. It is essentialfor preservation that ensiled materials contain a sufficient level offermentable sugars so that a reasonable preservation rate may beattained. Poorly digestible fiber very often deleteriously affectssilage preservation and its feeding quality. (See Martin, et al—NealMartin, David Mertens, and Mary Beth Hall, “Fiber Digestibility andStarch Content of Corn Silage,” U.S. Dairy Forage Research Center,USDA-ARS, 1925 Linden Dr. West, Madison, Wis. 53706, Joe Lauer, U ofWisconsin-Madison. Idaho Alfalfa and Forage Conference, 26-27 Feb.2008.)

Purified enzymes (like cellulases and other beta-glucanases) have beenapplied to silage to improve the ensiling process and to livestock andpoultry feeds to enable animals to render better feed efficiency fromavailable diets. These enzymes, while they may be cost effective, mayalso be relatively expensive, are heat labile, and may not have optimalactivity in the pH range of the specific feed application. Enzymes alsodo not reproduce and multiply their effects. Once degraded or denatured,their activity is lost.

Bacteria can be used as components of preparations which contain viablemicroorganisms which are then fed to animals. Bacteria are fed to manydiverse animal species including many species of mammals, avian species,crustaceans and fish. Specific supplements and fermented foods containbacteria which are consumed by humans. The viable microbial preparationsthat are fed to animals and humans are known as Probiotics or Direct FedMicrobials (DFMs). They are fed to the aforementioned animal species forsuch broad ranging effects as increasing feed conversion for moreefficient production of milk, of animal protein, eggs, etc. They arealso associated with increased resistance to intestinalcounter-productive microorganisms and pathogens. They are said toincrease positive effects from enzyme production in the gut. In ruminantspecies particularly, there are other positive effects which have beennoted: increased fatty acid production, which often translates into morebutterfat in milk; suppression of pathogenic bacteria in the rumen andgut which translates into reduced deleterious microbial load at point ofslaughter; increased levels of bypass protein; decreased acidosis, etc.

The attempt to provide cellulase-producing DFMs or viable microbial seedproducts to the various processes and industries that could utilize thecatalytic action of such microbes has had limited success.

DFMs and Probiotics are fed to help minimize negative digestive effectsof ingesting feed or foodstuffs that are relatively hard for the animalor human to digest. An often-claimed result of ingesting feedstuffs orfoods with indigestible fiber and NSPs are flatulence and other seriousanti-nutritional effects (See “Probiotics for Flatulence” http://worldwide web.livestrong.com/article/274832-probiotics-for-flatulence/;http://world wideweb.globalhealingcenter.com/natural-health/3-ways-to-reduce-and-neutralize-flatulence/Flatulencein dogs: “Dietary causes are the main source of flatulence in dogs.Low-quality foods with ingredients that can't be fully digested cancause gas”: at pets.webmd.com/dogs/flatulence-dogs) which is reduced byin ingestion of the compositions described here.

Current supported uses in feed by AAFCO/FDA include NSP-digestingenzymes like those which can hydrolyze xylans, hemicelluloses andbeta-glucans. These enzymes are recognized for their effects in reducing“sticky droppings,” reducing the viscosity of digesta, and assistingwith other anti-nutritional effects in animals (AFCO OfficialPublication).Septic Tank Application for Bacteria and Enzymes

Enzymes and bacteria are commonly added to septic tanks and other typesof waste treatment systems such as cesspools, lagoons, drip systems,composting toilets, sewage systems, wet wells, and camp toilets. Theseviable bacteria and active enzymes are added in order to moreeffectively degrade waste and digest solid materials. Some of the mostproblematic classes of compounds to digest are cellulose, natural fiber,and NSPs. Purified cellulase enzymes may be added to such systems.However, the discovery of bacteria which can produce fiber-digestingenzymes and which can be produced in stable preparations has provenproblematic

Composting

Composting is primarily an aerobic degradative process which helps tostabilize and reduce solid waste, rendering it stable, and producing anorganic product which can be used as a mulch, bedding, soilconditioning, or organically-based fertilizing material. The organicwaste commonly subjected to the composting process includes paper waste,lignocellulosic materials from agricultural crop production orindustrial processes, and solid waste from animals (often confined andconcentrated) and additionally from human sewage solids. The moist,undried waste material is piled in heaps or long piles called windrows.The material is turned and mixed regularly, generally with the aid ofsome type of mechanical equipment to reaerate the piles and to re-exposewaste substrates to the multiplying and metabolizing microorganismsresiding therein. The greatest portion of this waste is comprised offiber containing cellulose-based materials. One of the primary purposesof composting is reduce the volume of the waste. Increased cellulosicdigestion increases the rate of reduction. The initial stages ofcomposting are considered mesophilic and the primary microbialpopulations at the stage are said to be bacilli (Trautmann and Olynciw,Yi et al. “Compost Microorganisms”http://compost.css.cornell.edu/microorg.html). The addition ofbacteria-containing products is used to accelerate the initialcomposting activity and sometimes to affect the quality of the endproduct.

BioGas Production

BioGas is gaseous fuel, especially methane and in some cases, carbonmonoxide and hydrogen, produced by the fermentation of organic matter.It includes any gas fuel derived from the decay of organic matter, asthe mixture of methane and carbon dioxide produced by the bacterialdecomposition of sewage, manure, garbage, or plant crops. Biogasproduction is a technology which is utilized in various parts of theworld, including the US, to digest waste under (primarily) anaerobicconditions and in so doing create appreciable quantities of methane gaswhich can be used as a fuel source. The efficient production of methaneand high energy gas from biological processes requires efficientdigestive steps. The initial digestion step depends upon efficientbreakdown of fibrous material including the digestion of cellulose andNSPs to alternative substrates with lower molecular weight. Themethanogens (bacteria that produce methane) can readily absorb andmetabolize these materials with low molecular weight.

It has been stated that the rate limiting step to methanogenesis is theeffective degradation of complex polysaccharides such as cellulose andother NSP's into simpler, lower molecular weight compounds. The ratelimiting step in methanogenesis (biogas production) is in the firsthydrolytic stage of substrate breakdown. The hydrolytic process and thebacteria associated with it (like 6A-1) enzymatically reduce largemolecules (like cellulose) to small ones, upon which the biogas processfeeds. The following article states that “ . . . the hydrolysis ofcellulose was so low that this was shown to be the rate-limiting step inoverall anaerobic digestion.” See Noike et al. (1985) “Characteristicsof carbohydrate degradation and the rate-limiting step in anaerobicdigestion.” Biotechnol. Bioeng. 27(10):1482-9; Mahmood et al. (2006)“The rate-limiting step in anaerobic digestion in the presence ofphosphine.” Toxicology and Industrial Health 22(4):165-72. Das Neves, etal. teaches that biogas production can be positively affected byBacillus subtilis and other bacilli-application. Das Neves, Luiz CarlosMartins, et al. “Biogas production by Bacillus sp. anaerobiccultivations: new trend of alternative energy source in urbanizedareas.” Poster presentation. U.S. Department of Energy and Society forIndustrial Microbiology special conference “30^(th) Symposium onBiotechnology for Fuels and Chemicals. New Orleans, La. May, 2008.

By way of example, biogas can be formed by transformation of organicmaterial such as plants, most typically crop residue, food and also farmwaste such as animal manure, and can even be used to convert human wasteto energy. In this instance the bacteria strain or spore or cells orenzyme fraction or all or any of these entities in combination is placedin contact with the organic material or cellulose composition underanaerobic conditions to produce biogas which may include methane, carbondioxide, nitrogen and possibly also hydrogen sulfide, carbon monoxideand water vapor.

Data on Bacillus subtilis 6A-1 indicates that it can grow underconditions of low oxygen content (or microaerophillic conditions). Seethe methodology and information regarding growing conditions discussedabove. Since bacillus spores are dormant as far as metabolism isconcerned, and very resistant to anaerobic conditions, they can be grownaerobically, or semi aerobically and are well known to be still quitestable, that is retain their potential viability, under anaerobicconditions once they are in spore state. Production of enzymes byBacillus subtilis 6A-1 does not require an aerobic or anaerobicenvironment. See Sonenshein, et. al. Bacillus subtilis and Its ClosestRelatives from Genes to Cells. ASM Press, 2002. p. 30 for the lifecycleof Bacillus subtilis showing the vegetative cell/spore cycledevelopment.

Furthermore, Barbara Setlow and Peter Setlow “Heat Killing of Bacillussubtilis Spores in Water Is Not Due to Oxidative Damage” in Appl.Environ. Microbiol. October 1998 vol. 64 no. 10. 4109-4112 state “Theheat resistance of wild-type spores of Bacillus subtilis or spores(termed α⁻ β−) lacking DNA protective α/β-type small, acid-soluble sporeproteins was not altered by anaerobiosis”

The biogas so produced may be collected by any various methods, and canbe subject to further purification or commercial processes. Numeroustreatments are available for increasing the volume and efficiency ofbiogas, some by bacteria addition and some via enzyme addition, theenzymes used are notably cellulase and other NSP digesting catalysts.Without intending to be limiting, such processes available include thosedescribed at U.S. Pat. No. 8,828,124 and U.S. Pat. No. 9,040,271incorporated herein by reference.

Agriculture/Bioag Use

Mixtures of microorganisms are applied to seeds of crops and introduceddirectly into the soil for the purpose of stimulating and enhancing thegrowth of crops. Crops can benefit from the introduction of degradativemicroorganisms into the root zone; those microbes can degrade complexcompounds and mineral-binding polymers. The release of nutrients in theroot zone results in greater growth and production rates by key cropsand other plants. The microbially enhanced biochemical process alsoresults in conservation of key nutrients and prevents the need for overfertilization. Naturally occurring Bacillus spp. are considered to beallowable for (certified) organic food production by the U.S. NOP(National Organic Program).

As early as 1993, it was stated that it was beginning to become clearthat the well-recognized association of bacilli with roots and seedsmight not be just a chance association, and early strategies developedtoward the use of bacterial inoculants to improve plant performance. (F.G. Priest, “Systematics and Ecology of Bacillus,” in Sonenshein et. al.Bacillus subtilis and other gram positive bacteria, ASM Press, 1993. p.12) Furthermore, Bacillus species—or other closely relatedbacterial-strains and genera are desirable for use in food crops, and inagriculture. The use of Bacillus subtilis and many more similar strainsof bacilli are desirable since those chosen species of bacteria areconsidered safe, effective, stable and are relatively inexpensive toproduce.

Bacilli such as Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus licheniformis,Lysinibacillus spp. and Paenibacillus spp, are used in somemicrobial/fertilizer or plant application products for the purpose ofenhancing plant food's effects. Some strains are used as registeredpesticides and as antagonists to reduce the incidence of (primarily)harmful fungi which attack the seeds or plants.

Detergent or Cleaning Application

Commercially available cellulases for cleaning are generally of theexo-acting cellulase type which catalyze the hydrolysis of crystallineor “native” cellulose, like fibers from cotton. Cellulase enzymes forthese applications have been traditionally derived from fungi. Fungalstrains include Trichoderma longibrachiatum/viride/reesei, Aspergillusniger/aculeatus, and Humicola insolens. Humicola insolens genes arecloned into production strains of A. oryzae or A. niger for practicalproduction of the alkaliphilic H. insolens' cellulase.Cellulose-digesting enzymes suitable for detergent and other commercialapplications have been more difficult to find in bacteria.

Commercial cellulases are useful in biopolishing of newly manufacturedtextiles, for providing an abraded or worn look of cellulosic fabric(which term includes cloth, textiles or garment)—especially denim (oftencalled “stone washing”). Suitability for most detergent applicationsrequires that a cellulase be active in the alkaline range, pH 10.0-12.0.Enzymatic cleaning and detergent care use is also discussed at, forexample, Lilley et al., “Care Enzymes System” WO 2013167613 A1incorporated herein by reference. Cellulase may be used for (1) thesurface cleaning of microfibrils and micro-pills which occur on cottonor other cellulose-based fabrics and (2) the softening anddecolorization of denim material, particularly providing a pre-washed,softened, or pre-worn appearance to denim jeans, including certaincellulases in presoaks or detergents can reduce and removemicrofibrils/micro-pills and fray and surface balling on the fabric andenhance the appearance of cotton goods. In still another example, theuse of cellulase preparations with or without stones or other physicalabrasion additives accelerate the softening and pre-worn look and feelof denim goods. Even further examples relate to textile enzymes toimprove production methods and fabric finishing, such as using amylasesto remove starch size, cleaning fabric to remove waxes, hemicellulosesand other impurities, removing pectin, or even use with or withoutstones to achieve a desired appearance of the fabric. Enzymes are usefulfor a variety of processes to modify fabrics. For examples, see worldwideweb.novozymes.com/en/about-us/brochures/Documents/Enzymes_at_work.pdf.

The myriad of other potential applications to which the bacterial andcells or spores or enzymes may be used include, by way of examplewithout limitation, deinking and modification of forest products,particularly paper products and use of xylanases (which Bacillussubtilis 6A-1 produces) in bleaching paper, with reduction of the use ofharsh chemicals.

These are but a few examples use of the 6A-1 enzymes in a compositionfor conditioning or modifying fabric, where the enzymes are used in aprocess in which a property of the fabric such as color, texture,wettability or the like is different after application of the enzyme.

Regardless of the specific application, cellulose in fibrous orcrystalline form is difficult to digest enzymatically. Although thiscrystalline cellulose is a beta-glucan by definition, commonly availablebeta-1,4-glucanases are not effective in hydrolyzing crystallinecellulose. The beta-1,4 glucanases commonly produce by bacilli are moreeffective against modified cellulose, such as caboxymethylcellulose(CMC), and other beta-glucans (gums) from vegetative origin.

The term plant or plant material or plant part is used broadly herein toinclude any plant at any stage of development, or to part of a plant,including a plant cutting, a plant cell, a plant cell culture, a plantorgan, a plant seed, and a plantlet. A plant cell is the structural andphysiological unit of the plant, comprising a protoplast and a cellwall. A plant cell can be in the form of an isolated single cell oraggregate of cells such as a friable callus, or a cultured cell, or canbe part of a higher organized unit, for example, a plant tissue, plantorgan, or plant. Thus, a plant cell can be a protoplast, a gameteproducing cell, or a cell or collection of cells that can regenerateinto a whole plant. As such, a seed, which comprises multiple plantcells and is capable of regenerating into a whole plant, is considered aplant cell for purposes of this disclosure. A plant tissue or plantorgan can be a seed, protoplast, callus, or any other groups of plantcells that is organized into a structural or functional unit.Particularly useful parts of a plant include harvestable parts and partsuseful for propagation of progeny plants. A harvestable part of a plantcan be any useful part of a plant, for example, flowers, pollen,seedlings, tubers, leaves, stems, fruit, seeds, roots, and the like. Apart of a plant useful for propagation includes, for example, seeds,fruits, cuttings, seedlings, tubers, rootstocks, and the like. Any plantin which it is desired to break down cellulose may be used in theprocesses here. By a “crop plant” is intended any plant that iscultivated for the purpose of producing plant material that is soughtafter by man for either oral consumption, or for utilization in anindustrial, pharmaceutical, or commercial process. The compositions maybe applied to any of a variety of plants, including, but not limited tomaize, wheat, rice, barley, soybean, cotton, sorghum, beans in general,rape/canola, alfalfa, flax, sunflower, safflower, millet, rye,sugarcane, sugar beet, cocoa, tea, Brassica, cotton, coffee, sweetpotato, flax, peanut, clover; vegetables such as lettuce, tomato,cucurbits, cassava, potato, carrot, radish, pea, lentils, cabbage,cauliflower, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, peppers, and pineapple; treefruits such as citrus, apples, pears, peaches, apricots, walnuts,avocado, banana, and coconut; and flowers such as orchids, carnationsand roses.

In referring to a “cellulose-degrading enzyme” is intended an enzyme,including but not limited to cellulases and other glucosidases that canbe utilized to catalyze the hydrolysis of or promote the degradation ofcellulose into sugar monomers or cellodextrins or smaller molecularweight parts of which the cellulose is composed.

The International Union of Biochemistry (I.U.B.) Hydrolase EnzymeClassification 3.2.1.x includes cellulose degrading enzymes. Listedbelow, by way of example without intending to be limiting, are severalof these I.U.B. classified cellulases.

-   EC 3.2.1.4 cellulase-   EC 3.2.1.6 endo-1,3(4)-β-glucanase-   EC 3.2.1.21β-glucosidase-   EC 3.2.1.39 glucan endo-1,3-β-D-glucosidase-   EC 3.2.1.58 glucan 1,3-β-glucosidase-   EC 3.2.1.91 cellulose 1,4-β-cellobiosidase-   EC 3.2.1.136 glucuronoarabinoxylan endo-1,4-β-xylanase-   EC 3.2.1.156 oligosaccharide reducing-end xylanase

For the degradation of cellulose, for example, two general types ofcellulase enzymes can be employed. Cellulase enzymes which cleave thecellulose chain internally are referred to as endo-β-1,4-glucanases(E.C. 3.2.1.4) and serve to provide new reducing and non-reducing chaintermini on which exo-β-1,4-glucanases (cellobiohydrolase, CBH; E.C.3.2.1.91) can operate (Tomme et al. (1995) Cellulose hydrolysis bybacteria and fungi, Advances in Microbial Physiology 37:1-81). Two typesof exoglucanase have been described that differ in their approach to thecellulose chain. One type attacks the non-reducing end and the otherattacks the reducing end. The product of the exoglucanase reaction istypically cellobiose, so a third activity, β-D-glucosidase (E.C.3.2.1.21), is required to cleave cellobiose to glucose. The exoglucanasecan also yield longer glucose chains (up to 6 glucose units) that willrequire a β-D-glucosidase activity to reduce their size. Relative to theother enzyme activities needed for degradation of cellulose intofermentable sugars, only a minor amount of the β-D-glucosidase activityis required.

The method and compositions described are useful in animals including,but not limited to, humans, canine (e.g., dogs), feline (e.g., cats);equine (e.g., horses), bovine (e.g., cattle), ovine (e.g. sheep),caprine (e.g. goat) porcine animals (e.g., pigs) and rabbit, as well asin avians including, but not limited to, chickens, turkeys, ducks,geese, a quail, a pheasant, parrots, finches, hawks, crows and ratites(ostrich, emu, cassowary, and the like as well as domestic fur animalssuch as ferrets, minks, mustilids, and fish such as fin-fish, shellfish,and other aquatic animals. Fin-fish include all vertebrate fish, whichmay be bony or cartilaginous fish. Further examples of fin-fish includesalmonid fish, including salmon and trout species, such as coho salmon(Oncorhynchus kisutch), brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis), brown trout(Salmo trutta), chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha), masu salmon(Oncorhyncus masou), pink salmon (Oncorhynchus gorbuscha), rainbow trout(Oncorhynchus mykiss), Arctic charr (Salvelinus alpinus) and Atlanticsalmon (Salmo salar). However, any other fish species may benefit, suchas ornamental fish species, koi, goldfish, carp, catfish, yellowtail,sea bream, sea bass, pike, halibut, haddock, tilapia, turbot, wolffish,and so on. Examples of shellfish include, but are not limited to clams,lobster, shrimp, crab and oysters. Other cultured aquatic animalsinclude, but are not limited to eels, squid and octopi. Still furtherexamples include, crustacean (e.g. lobsters, crabs, shrimp, crayfish),mollusks (e.g., squid, clams, octopus, snails, abalone, mussels),Porifera (sponges), Cnidaria (e.g., jellyfish, sea anemones),Ctenophora, Echinodermata and aquatic worms.

The compositions and processes may be particularly useful with ruminantanimals. As used here, the term “ruminant” means an even-toed hoofedanimal which has a complex 3- or 4-chamber stomach and which typicallyrechews what it has previously swallowed. Some non-exhaustive examplesof ruminants include cattle, sheep, goats, oxen, musk oxen, llamas,alpacas, guanacos, deer, bison, antelopes, camels, and giraffes.

The bacterial cells, spores or enzymes in an embodiment are combinedwith a carrier, excipient and/or diluent appropriate for the process inwhich it will be used, as described above. Where administered to ananimal, it will be non-toxic to the animal. There are a myriad of suchagents available which may be added. Without intending to be limiting,examples include standardizing agents, extenders, wetting agents andlubricating agents, preservative agents, lipids, stabilizers,solubilizers, free flowing agents, and emulsifiers.

Examples that may be particularly useful in administration to an animalinclude ground corn cobs, salt, ground limestone, calcium carbonate,sodium bentonite, zeolites, ground soy hulls, citrus pulp, dairybyproducts, animal protein products, grain products, plant proteinproducts, processed grain products and by-products, roughage products,molasses products fermentation byproducts such as dried distillersgrains and/or solubles, citric acid and glutamic acid fermentationbyproducts and the like.

Bacillus subtilis 6A-1 produces proteases capable of degrading proteinsacross a wide range pH, from pH 2 to pH 12. The proteases are excretedin extracellular manner which provides for separation and harvesting ofthese extracellular proteases where desired. Proteases from Bacillussubtilis 6A-1 have many possible applications. Addition of proteases tosilage and animal feed yields greater feed efficiencies by rendering thefeed more easily absorbed by livestock. Detergents both domestic andindustrial have long contained proteases that aid in the removal ofproteineous materials. Bacillus subtilis 6A-1 protease is able tobreakdown keratin a major component of hair and feathers, making ituseful for poultry waste treatment and dehairing of hides to prepareleather (See Kahn, F. 2013 “New Microbial Proteases in Leather andDetergent Industries” Innov. Res. Chem. 1(1):1-6). Use of proteases inleathering processes eliminate some of the toxic chemicals and allow forthe simple degredation of unwanted proteins in an eco-friendly method.Addition of proteases to fermentation vats has been shown to increasefermentation rates and ethanol production (See Johnston, D. and McAlbon,A. 2014 “Protease Increases Fermentation Rate and Ethanol Yield in DryGrind Ethanol Production” Bioresource Technology 154:18-25).

References referred to herein are incorporated herein by reference. Thefollowing examples are provided for the purpose of exemplification andare not intended to be limiting.

EXAMPLES Example 1 Determination of Bacillus Subtilis 6A-1 Identity

Biochemical and phenotypic characterization of Bacillus subtilis 6A-1was performed using API 20 E identification test strips (BioMerieux 20100) and API 50 CH 50 carbohydrate fermentation test strips (BioMerieux50 300). The resulting biochemical profile of Bacillus subtilis 6A-1 was94% similar to that of Bacillus subtilis.

Confirmation of this classification was performed through genomicsequencing. DNA was extracted (Fast DNA stool mini kit Qiagen) from apure culture of Bacillus 6A-1 and sequenced by a contractor (GeneWiz,Inc.) on an Illumina MiSeq system using a shotgun-sequencing approach.The DNA sequences were processed by using MOTHUR (Kozich, J. J., S. L.Westcott, N. T. Baxter, S. K. Highlander, and P. D. Schloss. 2013.Development of a dual-index sequencing strategy and curation pipelinefor analyzing amplicon sequence data on the MiSeq Illumina sequencingplatform. Appl Environ Microbiol. 79(17):5112-5120). Briefly, forwardand reverse reads were assembled into continuous DNA sequences rangingin length from approximately 150 to 300 base pairs. Sequences containingambiguous base calls, long homo-polymer regions, or less than 20 basesof overlap between forward and reverse reads were eliminated from thedataset. Approximately 4.45 million sequences passed these qualitycontrol procedures and were retained as a library of shotgun DNAsequences. The consensus sequence of Bacillus subtilis 6A-1 is SEQ IDNO: 1. The 4.45 million sequences were aligned with the complete genomesequence of Bacillus subtilis strain 168. Approximately 93.1% (4.15million sequences) belonging to the Bacillus 6A-1 library aligned withthe reference strain with approximately 89.0% coverage. Third partyverification (GeneWiz, Inc.) of genome similarity between Bacillus 6A-1and Bacillus subtilis strain 168. The Bacillus 6A-1 library was mappedto the reference genome of Bacillus subtilis strain 168 (See GenBank RefNo. AL009126 “Bacillus subtilis subsp. Subtilis str. 168 completegenome” February 2015; NCBI RefSeq NC_000964.3 Aug. 3, 2016) by usingCLC genomics workbench software (CLC Bio, Inc.) to produce a consensuspartial genome sequence for Bacillus 6A-1. The consensus mapped sequence(internal accession number AL009126.3) was aligned with the referencesequence using BLASTn alignment software (NCBI) and was found to alignwith approximately 89% coverage and 98.9% sequence similarity. Theseresults support classification of Bacillus 6A-1 as a subspecies ofBacillus subtilis.

A secondary analysis of 16S ribosomal gene similarity, widely recognizedas a method of taxonomic assignment, was conducted to compare Bacillus6A-1 with Bacillus subtilis strain 168. A subset of 29,044 DNA sequencefragments was identified in the Bacillus 6A-1 shotgun library thataligned with the 16S gene of Bacillus subtilis 168. Guided-assemblysoftware (DNA Baser v4.31.0) was used to re-construct the 16S sequencefragments into a consensus DNA sequence. Guided assembly was iterated 10times, and then the consensus sequences produced by each iteration werealigned by using iterative multiple sequence alignment software (MUSCLE,EMBL-EBI). The consensus 16S gene sequence produced by MUSCLE wasaligned with the Bacillus subtilis 168 16S gene sequence by usingBLASTn. The 16S ribosomal gene sequence of Bacillus 6A-1 was 99.8%similar (1552 out of 1554 residues). Querying the 16S ribosomal sequenceagainst the non-redundant nucleotide database (NCBI) demonstratedgreater than 99% similarity with numerous other strains of Bacillussubtilis. Thus, Bacillus 6A-1 can be classified as a subspecies ofBacillus subtilis on the basis of both 16S and whole-genome shotgunsequencing.

Example 2 Production of Enzyme-Containing Extract from Bacillus subtilis6A-1

An 8 hour aerobic culture of Bacillus subtilis 6A-1 was prepared usingMinimal Bacillus Media (MBM) (composition: Sucrose 10.0 g/L, K₂HPO₄ 2.5g/L, KH₂PO₄ 2.5 g/L, (NH₄) 2HPO₄ 1.0 g/L, MgSO₄7H₂O, FeSO₄7H₂O 0.01 g/L,MnSO₄7H₂O 0.007 g/L Reference: Bacillus and related endospore-formingbacteria. Bioscience Portal “Biology-Life Science-Edu-Lecture Notes.”Nov. 9, 2013. Table 2.https://bioscienceportal.wordpress.com/2013/11/09/bacillus-and-related-endospore-forming-bacteria/)which was amended by replacing Sucrose with Dextrose (10 g/L), andadding CaCl₂ (0.12 g/L), MnCl₂ (0.05 g/L), and 1% (w/v) Bacto Soytone(BD 243620). The bacterium was incubated at 30° C. for 8 hours. At theend of the incubation period, the bacterial cells were separated fromthe broth using centrifugation followed by filtration using a 0.45micron filter. Cellulolytic activity was assayed using the methoddetailed below. The liquid extracts were then subjected to tests forenzyme activity. Results are detailed in FIG. 1.

Example 3 Cellulase and Amylase Enzyme Activity Determination

One unit of cellulase or amylase activity is defined as the quantity ofenzyme that liberates 1 micromole of reducing sugar (expressed asglucose equivalents) per minute from the appropriate substrate under theconditions of the assay described. The cellulase substrate is sodiumcarboxymethyl cellulose. The amylase substrate is soluble starch(suitable for diastase measurement). For the purposes of this assaysubstrate and cellulase enzymes reacted in 0.015 M Sodium AcetateBuffer, pH 5.0, prepared from sodium acetate trihydrate and acetic acid.For the purposes of this assay substrate and amylase enzymes reacted in0.02 M Sodium Phosphate Buffer, pH 6.0, prepared from sodium 0.2Mdibasic sodium phosphate and 0.2M monobasic sodium phosphate, correctedto pH 6.0 using 0.1N sodium hydroxide or 0.1N hydrochloric acid.

Glucose standards were prepared in deionized water and a standard curvewas constructed for a range of glucose solutions from 0.1 mg/mL to 1.0mg/mL. To each 0.8 mL of glucose dilution in a glass tube, 1.2 mL of DNSReagent (1.0% 3,5-dinitro-salicylic acid solution (DNS) was prepared in0.4 N NaOH with 300 g/L of potassium sodium tartrate.) was added. Thetubes containing the standard glucose solutions were placed in boilingwater bath for 10 minutes, after which they were cooled rapidly in icewater bath. 2.0 mL of deionized of reducing sugar was read in suitabletubes in a spectrophotometer at 540 nm wavelength water was added toeach tube. The reddish orange color developed by the DNS reagent inpresence.

A 1.0% Sodium carboxycellulose (CMC) Substrate Solution was preparedfrom low viscosity carboxymethyl cellulose sodium salt (degree ofsubstitution of 0.60-0.95-viscosity 3,000-6,000 cps). The substratesolution was prepared in the boiling 0.015 M Acetate Buffer which wasstirred until substrate was dissolved and tempered in water bath toassay temperature.

The 1% Starch Substrate Solution was prepared by dissolving 1.0 gsoluble starch was 90 ml of hot 0.02 M sodium phosphate buffer.Temperature was elevated to gently boil to dissolve substrate. pH wasrechecked and adjusted to pH 6.0 with 0.1N sodium hydroxide, ifnecessary. Volume was adjusted to 100 ml in volumetric flask withbuffer. Substrate was tempered in water bath to assay temperature.

The liquid enzyme-containing samples were analyzed in the followingmanner: to each tube containing 0.40 mL of 1% substrate solution wasadded 0.40 mL of enzyme-containing solution. After mixing, tubes wereincubated at 40° C. for 30.0 minutes. After incubation, 1.2 mL of DNSwas added to each tube. Tubes were subjected to a boiling water bath for10.0 min after which they were immersed in an ice water bath and 2.0 mLof deionized water was added to each tube. The absorbance of the eachaliquot of reactant mixture was read in spectrophotometer in suitabletubes at 540 nm wavelength. Each of the samples was run in triplicatefor greater accuracy.

One unit of cellulase or amylase activity (DNS method) is defined as thequantity of enzyme that liberates 1.0 micromole of reducing sugar(expressed as glucose equivalents) per minute under the standardconditions of the assay described.

The absorbance value for each enzyme-containing sample was calculated bysubtracting the enzyme blank value from the enzyme sample value. The netvalue was used to calculate the activity value from the standard glucosecurve.

${{Activity}\left( {{Enzyme}\mspace{14mu}{activity}\text{/}{gram}} \right)} = \frac{\left\lbrack {{Activity}\mspace{14mu}{value}\mspace{14mu}{from}\mspace{14mu}{standard}\mspace{14mu}{curve} \times {dilution}} \right\rbrack}{\left\lbrack {{Micromoles}\mspace{14mu}{glucose} \times {reaction}\mspace{14mu}{time}} \right\rbrack}$See FIG. 1.

Example 4 Growth of Bacillus subtilis 6A-1 vs Temperature

100 mL aliquots of Brain Heart Infusion broth were inoculated with 1 mLeach of broth containing viable Bacillus subtilis 6A-1 cells. Afterinoculation individual aliquots were incubated at the differenttemperatures indicated for 12 hours with agitation. Absorbance (opticaldensity) readings (which are direct indicators of bacterial growth andmultiplication) were taken at a wavelength of 600 nm. It is apparentfrom the data presented in FIG. 2 that the optimal temperature forBacillus subtilis 6A-1 growth is 30°-35° Celsius. Growth rates andlevels declined steeply at temperatures outside this temperature range.This data indicates that Bacillus subtilis 6A-1 is a mesophilicbacterium.

Example 5

Bacillus subtilis 6A-1 Enzyme Production at DifferentTemperaturesAliquots of 100 mL of Brain Heart Infusion broth wereinoculated with 1.0 mL of broth containing viable Bacillus subtilis 6A-1cells. The inoculated broth was incubated at the temperatures indicatedfor 12 hours with agitation. Samples of broth were taken at the 12 hourpoint and each sample was centrifuged at 3000 rpm for 20 min. Thesupernatant was harvested. These broth supernatant samples were analyzedfor cellulase and amylase activity using the CMC-DNS and Starch-DNSMethod described above. Results are reported in FIG. 3. The experimentindicated that the optimal temperature range for amylase and cellulaseproduction by Bacillus subtilis 6A-1 is in the 30°-35° Celsius range.Cellulase and amylase activity was assessed using the protocol describedin Cellulase and Amylase Enzyme Activity Determination.

Example 6 Enzyme Activity on Polysaccharides

Growth experiments and detailed examinations of this bacterium revealedthat the strain excreted enzymes which exhibit novel cellulase activityover a broad pH range.

The bacteria produced hydrolytic enzymes. It was discovered by theinventors that the Bacillus subtilis 6A-1 (SD-6861) produced threeprotein fractions and exhibited activity not only on carboxymethylcellulose (CMC), a compound that is the result of chemically modifyingcellulose to render it more soluble, but also on native, crystallinecellulose. Examples of commercial versions of purified, crystalline,water-insoluble cellulose are SigmaCell® and Avicel®. Avicel® used forthis research was Avicel® (Type PH 101) (CAS 9004-34-6) manufactured andsupplied by FMC Biopolymer (FMC BioPolymer 1735 Market StreetPhiladelphia, Pa. 19103). Sigmacell® (Catalog Number S3504) is marketedby Sigma-Aldrich® and is a microcrystalline cellulose preparation offinely divided microcrystalline cellulose which retains crystallineintegrity but can be more easily dispersed in aqueous suspensions. Theprotein fractions showed this activity over a broad pH range from pH2.0-13 (See FIG. 4).

Aliquots of 1 mL of enzyme-containing broth were added to aliquots of 4mL of the appropriate pH buffer (See Buffer Solutions—below) along with0.10 g of polysaccharide to be tested. The reactant mixtures wereincubated with agitation at 40° C. At the end of incubation time (1hour), the reacting mixture was chilled in a 0° C. ice bath and filteredthrough a 0.45 micron filter. 450 μL of each sample was withdrawn andanalyzed for reducing sugar generated by the enzyme reacting with thesaid polysaccharide by the method of Miloski et. al. (2008)—Miloski, K.,Wallace, K., Fenger, A., Schneider, E., and Bendinskas, K. “Comparisonof Biochemical and Chemical Digestion and Detection Methods forCarbohydrates.” American Journal of Undergraduate Research. 2008. 7(2):7-18.

The 450 μL aliquot of each sample was pipetted into new microfuge tubes.A 450 μL aliquot of 3,5-dinitrosalicylic acid (1%) prepared in 0.4N NaOHwas added to each tube. Samples were immersed in a 90° C. hot water bathfor 10 minutes. After removal from the bath, 150 μL of sodium potassiumtartrate (40%) was added to each tube. A 300 μL aliquot of each samplewas pipetted into separate wells of a 96-well microplate. Absorbance wasread at 575 nanometers with a plate reader and the average absorbancefor each triplicate set was calculated.

Buffer Solutions pH 2 Citric Acid-Na₂ HPO₄ Preparation: Mixed 89.1 mL of0.1M Citric Acid and 10.90 mL of 0.2M Na₂ HPO₄ then solution titratedwith 1M HCl to pH 2.0 pH 4 Citric Acid-Na₂ HPO₄ Preparation: Mixed 61.45mL of 0.1M Citric Acid and 38.55 mL of 0.2M Na₂ HPO₄ then solutiontitrated with 1M HCl to pH 4.0 pH 6 Citric Acid-Na₂ HPO₄ Preparation:Mixed 36.85 mL of 0.1M Citric Acid and 63.15 mL 0.2M Na₂ HPO₄ thensolution titrated with 1M HCl to pH 6.0 pH 8 Na₂ HPO₄—NaH₂PO₄Preparation: Mixed 47.35 mL of 0.2M NaH₂PO₄ and 2.65 mL of 0.2M Na₂ HPO₄then solution titrated with 1M HCl to pH 8.0 pH 10 Na₂CO₃—NaHCO₃Preparation: Mixed 60 mL of 0.1M Na₂CO₃ and 40 mL 0.1M NaHCO₃ thensolution titrated to pH 10.0 pH 12 KCl—NaOH Preparation: Mixed 25 mL of0.2M KCl and 6.0 of 0.2M NaOH then diluted with water to a volume of 100mL. Rechecked pH. pH 13 KCl—NaOH Preparation: Mixed 25 mL of 0.2M KCland 66 mL of 0.2M NaOH then diluted with water to a volume of 100 mL.Rechecked pH.

Experimentation has shown that overall cellulolytic enzyme activity thatis exhibited by Bacillus subtilis 6A-1 is effective upon several formsof cellulose substrate. With the commercial micro-crystalline cellulose,Avicel®, at least two peaks of cellulase activity occur, one indicatingan acidophilic/neutral-acting cellulase enzyme system, another peakindicating an alkaliphilic cellulose-digesting enzyme system (See FIG.4). At the same time, additional research has shown that the actionpattern of the cellulolytic enzyme systems on carboxymethyl cellulose(CMC) is very similar. However, tests utilizing another commercialmicrocrystalline cellulase, Sigmacell® as substrate reveal that activityby 6A-1 cellulases are similarly active in the acidic pH ranges, andincreasingly active in neutral and alkaline pH ranges. The result ofthis data indicates that the cellulolytic activity of the enzymesexpressed and secreted by Bacillus subtilis 6A-1 are novel in that theyare active throughout the range from pH 2.0 to pH 13.0 on chemicallymodified and unmodified cellulosic compounds.

The Bacillus subtilis 6A-1 (SD6861) produces crystallinecellulose-digesting enzymes. These enzymes are usually characterized asbeing exo-acting cellulases beginning their hydrolytic at the outsideedges of the polymeric cellulose structure. In addition, the enzymesystems can digest modified cellulose (such as carboxymethyl celluloseor CMC). CMC-digesting enzymes are usually described as being moreendo-acting cellulases, beginning their hydrolysis in the center of thepolymeric cellulose structure.

The use of the strain provides optimal efficacy in a broad range ofapplications that a combination of cellulase activity is utilized. Ifone applies cellulases of different types with activity ranging overbroad expanses of pH, then the greatest efficacy can often be achieved.

Biochemical processes which vary in pH throughout their progression willbenefit from broad pH range efficacy. One example is an ensilagefermentation which starts at pH 6.8-7.0 and finishes at 3.5-3.9. Anotherexample is a feeding process that involves the animal gut which maystart at pH 6.6-7.0, continues through pH levels reaching 2.0 or evenlower, and finishes at 6.4-6.8.

Example 7 Cellulolytic Activity on Native Sources of Polysaccharides

Although it is definitively shown that the enzyme systems of Bacillussubtilis 6A-1 are active on several types of crystalline and modifiedcellulase preparations, enzyme-containing broth of Bacillus subtilis6A-1 was additionally analyzed for its cellulolytic activity uponunmodified cellulose from native sources: delignified “ADF cellulose”derived from delignified, acid detergent fiber treatment of wheat straw,and from absorbent cotton. The results are shown in FIG. 5 below.

Native cellulose derived from delignified ADF residue: Acid DetergentFiber was prepared from wheat straw and delignified according thefollowing method.

A 5.0 gram sample of ground dry wheat straw (at 0.8 mm grind size) wassubjected to boiling with 500 ml Acid Detergent Fiber Solution (preparedby adding 20 g cetyl trimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) to 1 L 1.00NH₂SO₄) for 60 minutes. The spent liquid, after 60 minutes, containedAcid Detergent Solubles which were separated by filtration. Theinsoluble residue was rinsed twice with hot distilled water, andsubjected again to boiling with ADF solution for another 60 minutes. Thefinal residue of the procedure was identified as ADF straw residue.

This residue, containing cellulose, lignin, and an insignificant amountof heat damaged protein and a portion of cell wall protein and minerals(ash) was subjected to saturated potassium permanganate combined withlignin buffer Solution at ratio 2:1 (see material preparation below).

The lignin buffer solution contained 6.0 g of ferric nitrate nonahydrateand 0.15 g silver nitrate made into 100 ml with distilled water. Themixture was combined with 500 ml glacial acetic acid and 5.0 g potassiumacetate. The whole contents were brought to 1.0 liter by adding 400 mLof tert-butanol (2-methyl-2-propanol). 50.0 g KMNO₄ was dissolved indistilled water and brought to total volume of one liter with distilledwater to prepare a 5% solution.

ADF straw residue was placed in a 500 ml beaker and the contents werecovered with potassium permanganate solution treatment and stirred witha glass rod to a smooth paste. Refilling with potassium permanganatesolution and stirring occasionally until the contents were poured intoGooche crucibles and the liquid was filtered off with aspirators as theacid drained away.

After 90 minutes the oxidizing solution was filtered to remove as muchacid as possible with vacuum and the contents were treated with thedemineralizing solution (50.0 g of oxalic acid dihydrate into 700 ml of95% ethyl alcohol, then add and mix 50 ml concentrated (12N)hydrochloric and 250 ml distilled water). The treatment was repeatedtwice, and the cellulosic residue became white. The delignified whiteresidue was washed with hot water until free from acid. The whiteresidue (native wheat straw cellulose or Straw ADF Cellulose) was driedat 65° C.

Absorbent cotton (Swisspers® brand Cotton Balls Jumbo Plus—manufacturedby U.S. Cotton, LLC, 15501 Industrial Parkway, Cleveland, Ohio 44135)was obtained commercially for use in the analytical procedure. For theanalytical procedure, approximately 0.1 g was cut and placed in tubesused for the enzyme hydrolysis.

Both the straw ADF cellulose and the cotton substrates were tested forsusceptibility to Bacillus subtilis 6A-1 cellulase enzymes by applyingenzyme-containing broth and the enzyme activity was calculated in thesame manner as in previously described experiments (Enzyme Activity onPolysaccharides). For contemporaneous comparison, the analysis set alsoincluded Avicel® and Sigmacel®1 substrates as in previous experiments.FIG. 5 illustrates the results of the test. The results again confirmthe broad activity on Avicel® and Sigmacell® microcrystallinecelluloses, but also reveal that the enzymes of 6A-1 also act uponnative straw cellulose, and native cotton cellulose over broad range ofpH values.

FIG. 6 summarizes Bacillus subtilis 6A-1 β-glucanase activity on barleyβ-glucan along with comparative cellulase activity on two types ofcellulose provided for reference. Cellulose and the β-glucan fromcertain grains and legumes represent separate types of β-glucancompounds with similar linkage. Native cellulose and micro-crystallinecellulose are β-glucans, but their structure is more crystalline innature and less vulnerable to hydrolytic attack by bacterial enzymes.Nevertheless, it is apparent that enzymes produced and secreted by 6A-1are capable of degrading both cellulose and barley β-glucans.

While the β-glucanase activity of enzymes produced by Bacillus subtilis6A-1 are effective on barley β-glucan over the broad pH range of2.0-13.0, there are peaks of activity at approximately pH 2.0, 5.0, and12.0. These activity peaks almost assuredly point to more than oneenzyme being present which can catalyze the hydrolysis of barleyβ-glucan. Barley β-glucan is but one example of this type of NSP presentin oats, soy beans and their derivatives and other moredifficult-to-digest grains and legumes. β-glucans represent one class ofcompound that is present in animal feedstuffs that is difficult todigest by certain livestock and poultry.

Further, Bacillus subtilis 6A-1 is unique in that the bacterium producesother enzymes which catalyze the hydrolysis of polysaccharides otherthan barley β-glucan and cellulose. We have discovered that thebacterium is also capable of producing enzymes which degrade thefollowing compounds:

Lichenin (CAS 1402-10-4)—A complex β-glucan which can be isolated fromIcelandic moss. According to several references, lichenin (also known aslichenan) consists of a polysaccharide with repeating glucose unitslinked by β-1,3 and β-1,4 glycosidic bonds.

(Perlin, A. S. and S. Suzuki. The Structure of lichenin: SelectiveEnzymolysis. Canadian Journal of Chemistry. Volume 40 (1962))

Laminarin—which is an NSP made up of β (1→3) (linked) glucan structurewith β (1→6) (linked) branch points. It is a linear polysaccharide. Itshydrolysis is catalyzed by enzymes such as laminarinase (EC 3.2.1.6)that breaks the β (1→3) bonds. (Salyers A A, Palmer J K, Wilkins T D.Laminarinase (beta-glucanase) activity in Bacteroides from the humancolon. Appl Environ Microbiol. (May 1977). (England) 33 (5): 1118-1124))

Xylan (CAS 9014-63-5)—which is composed of hemicelluloses that are foundin plant cell walls and in some algae. Xylans are polysaccharidesconstructed from units of xylose. Xylans are almost as ubiquitous ascellulose in plant cell walls and contain predominantly β-D-xylose unitslinked in similar manner to the monomers in cellulose. (Alonso J L,Dominguez H, Garrote G, Parajo J C, Vazques M J (2003).“Xylooligosaccharides: properties and production technologies”.Electron. J. Environ. Agric. Food Chem 2 (1): 230-232; M. L. T. M.Polizeli, A. C. S. Rizzatti, R. Monti, H. F. Terenzi, J. A. Jorge, D. S.Amorim. Xylanases from fungi: properties and industrial applications.Appl Microbiol Biotechnol (2005) 67: 577-591; K. Beg ⋅M. Kapoor ⋅L.Mahajan ⋅G. S. Hoondal, Microbial xylanases and their industrialapplications: a review Appl Microbiol Biotechnol (2001).)

Starch (CAS 9005-25-8)—an α-glucan, which is the predominantcarbohydrate storage compound of potatoes, corn and other vegetables andgrain. Unlike the polysaccharides above, starch is composed of amylose(CAS 9005-82-7) and amylopectin (CAS 9037-22-3) which are polymers ofpredominantly α (1→4) linked glucose monomers. Amylose is a straightchained polymer with α (1→4) linked monomers, while amylopectin isbranching polymer linked predominantly by α (1→4) linked glucosemonomers, but with α (1→6) branch points.

The enzymes which catalyze the hydrolysis of starch are known as (EC3.2.1). The predominant amylase produced by bacilli is alpha-amylase (EC3.2.1.1) (CAS 9014-71-5). FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate the hydrolyticcatalyzing activity of the enzymes produced by Bacillus subtilis 6A-1 onthese diverse polymeric carbohydrate compounds: starch and non-starchpolysaccharides. The enzymes expressed and excreted by Bacillus subtilis6A-1 exhibit activity in the neutral area (pH 6.0) and in the highlyalkaline area (pH 12.0) of the pH scale. The protocol for the experimentemployed the procedures described above at Enzyme Activity onPolysaccharides.

Bacillus subtilis 6A-1 strain cells, spores, and enzymes produced canreduce flatulence compared to a feed which does not comprise 6A-1, cellsor spores or enzymes. Flatulence in animals may occur due to bacterialaction upon undigested and unassimilated nonstarch polysaccharides. Thisflatulence includes production of gases during digestion such as methane(CH₄) and other greenhouse gases that present an environmental or safetyissue with certain livestock and other animals.

Example 8 Activity of Bacillus subtilis 6A-1 on Acid Detergent FiberResidue

Acid Detergent Fiber (ADF) residue is the fraction of feed which is acomponent produced during routine feed analysis. ADF represents thefiber portion of the feed sample that is most difficult for animals todigest. A sample of straw fiber was subjected to standard procedures forproduction and measurement of ADF (See procedure in CellulolyticActivity on Native Sources of Polysaccharides). The ADF portion whichcontained 17% lignin was subjected to attack by 100 microliters ofenzyme-containing fermentation broth supernatant from Bacillus subtilis6A-1. A sample of ADF residue so treated would be composed of celluloseand lignin.

FIG. 9 graphically represents the activity of the enzymes from Bacillussubtilis 6A-1 on native cellulose extracted chemically from wheat straw.The data reveals that hydrolytic digestion of the cellulose in the ADFfraction occurs from pH 2 to pH 13, with the highest levels ofsugar-producing hydrolytic activity occurring at the lowest range of pH(2.0) and at the highest point of monitoring (pH 13.0). The experimentbelow used the protocol described above in Enzyme Activity onPolysaccharides.

ADF residue fractions of feedstuffs can be in the range of 3% to 95%.ADF may be, for example, about 3% in corn and 95% in small grain strawresidue. Small grains include, for example: wheat, barley, triticale,rye, oats, and spelt. Small grain straws may also include rice straw andstems or non-grain components of certain other crops indigenous to otherspecific geographic areas such as rice straw and hulls, and maize andsorghum stover.

Example 9 Separation and Characterization of Cellulolytic EnzymeFractions from Bacillus subtilis 6A-1

Subsequent separation of active cellulolytic enzyme proteins viaelectrophoresis, according to the method of de Lourdes et al. (Maria deLourdes T. M. Polizeli, Simone C. Peixoto-Nogueria, Tony M. da Silva,Alexandre Mailer and Hamilton Cabral (2012). Gel Electrophoresis forInvestigation Enzymes with Biotechnological Application, GelElectrophoresis—Advanced Techniquies, Dr. Samah Magdeldin (Ed.), ISBM:978-953-51-0457-5, In Tech, Available from worldwidewebintechopen.com/books/gel-electrophoresis-advanced-techniques/enzymes-with-biotechnological-application),have revealed that Bacillus subtilis 6A-1 produces three distinct andseparate enzyme fractions which demonstrate hydrolytic enzyme activitytoward fiber, using CMC and microcrystalline cellulose (Avicel®) as asubstrate. (See FIGS. 10, 11, 12 and 13)

The CMC-DNS assay is described above (Cellulase and Amylase EnzymeActivity Determination). See below for the variation of the analysiswhich requires elution of the active cellulase enzymes which may beimbedded in the polyacrylamide gel slices prior to running the DNScellulase procedure described above.

Cellulase enzyme fractions which were produced by Bacillus subtilis 6A-1were separated by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis according to thetechnique described by de Lourdes, et. al. Approximately 3 mL ofenzyme-containing Bacillus subtilis 6A-1 broth supernatant (prepared asin above Production of enzyme-containing extract from Bacillus subtilis6A-1) was dialyzed 18 hours against polyethyleneglycol (PEG) 6000solution at 4° C. The PEG solution was prepared by adding 200.0 g of PEGin 250 mL of deionized water and heating until PEG dissolved in water.The volume was adjusted to 500 mL. 200 μL of distilled water was addedback to the dialyzed sample and the inside of the dialysis tubing wasrinsed to obtain as much of the dialyzed enzyme-containing Bacillussubtilis 6A-1 broth sample as possible. An 8.0% native polyacrylamidegel electrophoresis (PAGE) gel was prepared for alkaline proteins (asspecified in de Lourdes, et. al., p 102). Three wells of the gel wereloaded with dialyzed Bacillus subtilis 6A-1 enzyme-containingsupernatant and were subjected to electrophoresis at 120 V for 4.0 hoursusing a β-alanine acetic acid mixture as running buffer. The β-alanineacetic acid mixture consisted of 31.2 g of β-alanine, 8 mL of glacialacetic acid and an amount of distilled water sufficient to bring finalvolume to 1.0 L After the period of electrophoresis, the gel was slicedinto 5 mm segments and each segment was placed in separate tubescontaining 1 mL of 0.1 M potassium phosphate buffer at pH 7.0. Theproteins were allowed to elute into the buffer solution for 48 hours at4° C. These solutions were then assayed using a CMC-DNS assay forcellulase activity (see Cellulase and Amylase Enzyme ActivityDetermination). Treatments of gel samples to elute enzymes prior toanalysis for CMC cellulolytic activity were the same as the methoddescribed for Avicel® cellulolytic activity described below.

The presence of three separate proteins (enzymes) withcellulose-digesting activity secreted [excreted] during the fermentationof Bacillus subtilis 6A-1 is surprising. It is apparent that thepresence of three separate enzyme fractions identified in the culturesupernatant can have an extraordinary advantage in a wide variety ofapplications.

The procedure was repeated and the cellulolytic enzymes separated by gelelectrophoresis were analyzed at pH 11.12 instead of 6.3. The resultsmay be seen in FIG. 11.

In addition to activity expressed upon CMC, gel electrophoresisexperiments were expanded to make use of crystalline, more resistantform of cellulose. Similar experiments were executed determining theactivity of various protein fractions' catalytic activity upon Avicel®.The results are expressed graphically in FIGS. 12 and 13.

Preparation and analysis of PAG gel segments for cellulase activityexpressed on Avicel® microcrystalline cellulase substrate was performedas follows. Bacillus subtilis 6A-1 supernatant was run on an 8.0% nativepolyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) gel was prepared for alkalineproteins (as specified in de Lourdes, et. al., p 102). Three wells ofthe gel were loaded with dialyzed Bacillus subtilis 6A-1enzyme-containing supernatant and were subjected to electrophoresis at120 V for 4.0 hours using a β-alanine acetic acid mixture as runningbuffer. The β-alanine acetic acid mixture consisted of 31.2 g ofβ-alanine, 8 mL of glacial acetic acid and an amount of distilled watersufficient to bring final volume to 1.0 L After the period ofelectrophoresis, the gel was sliced into 5 mm segments and each segmentwas placed in separate tubes containing 1 mL of 0.1 M potassiumphosphate buffer at pH 7.0. The proteins were allowed to elute into thebuffer solution for 48 hours at 4° C. One mL of gel segment elutant wasadded to 4 mL of the appropriate pH buffer pH 6 and pH 12 (pH 6 bufferprepared by mixing 36.85 mL of 0.1 M citric acid and 63.15 mL 0.2 MNa₂HPO₄ then solution titrated with 1M HCl to pH 6.0. pH 12 buffer wasprepared by mixing 25 mL of 0.2 M KCl and 6.0 of 0.2 M NaOH then dilutedwith water to a volume of 100 mL, then solution titrated to pH 12.0)along with 0.10 g of Avicel® microcrystalline cellulose while chillingin an ice bath. The reactant mixtures were incubated with agitation at40° C. for 1 hour. The reacting mixture was chilled in a 0° C. ice bathand filtered through a 0.45 micron filter. After incubation 800 ul ofdigestion mix was then added to 1.2 ml of DNS. Tubes were subjected to aboiling water bath for 10.0 min after which they were immersed in an icewater bath and 2.0 mL of deionized water was added to each tube. Theabsorbance of the each sample was read in spectrophotometer at 540 nmwavelength. One unit of cellulase or amylase activity (DNS method) isdefined as the quantity of enzyme that liberates 1.0 micromole ofreducing sugar (expressed as glucose equivalents) per minute under thestandard conditions of the assay described. The absorbance value foreach enzyme-containing sample was calculated by subtracting the enzymeblank value from the enzyme sample value. The net value was used tocalculate the activity value from the standard glucose curve.

${{Activity}\left( {{Enzyme}\mspace{14mu}{activity}\text{/}{gram}} \right)} = \frac{\left\lbrack {{Activity}\mspace{14mu}{value}\mspace{14mu}{from}\mspace{14mu}{standard}\mspace{14mu}{curve} \times {dilution}} \right\rbrack}{\left\lbrack {{Micromoles}\mspace{14mu}{glucose} \times {reaction}\mspace{14mu}{time}} \right\rbrack}$

Gel electrophoresis separation of enzymatically active proteinsexpressed by Bacillus subtilis 6A-1 likewise confirm multiple groupingsof activity on Avicel®. These data indicate that 6A-1 expresses multiplecellulase enzymes with hydrolytic activity not only on modifiedcellulose like CMC, but also on crystalline cellulose (Avicel®). Theactivity of some of the enzyme fractions appear to be active at pH 6.3and at pH 11.12, while other(s) are predominantly active at pH 11.12.

Therefore, electrophoresis experiments (FIGS. 10, 11, 12 and 13) confirmthat there is appreciable cellulase activity by more than one cellulasefraction of Bacillus subtilis 6A-1 and these enzyme fractions are activeover the broadest of ranges in environmental pH values.

Furthermore, the sum of the data that proves the presence of more thanone active cellulolytic enzyme plus the data that indicates that thiscatalytic activity which elicits hydrolysis of modified cellulose (likeCMC), and on chemically unmodified crystalline cellulose (like Avicel®),plus the data that shows the activity extends over a very broad pHspectrum is extraordinary. These attributes provide value for Bacillussubtilis 6A-1 and its enzymes as they may be applied to food, feed,biochemical processes and environmental processes. Furthermore,researchers have noted a synergistic hydrolytic action on cellulosesubstrate when multiple cellulolytic enzymes are applied (Medve, etal—Medve J, Karlsson J, Lee D, Tjerneld F: Hydrolysis ofmicrocrystalline cellulose by cellobiohydrolase I and endoglucanase IIfrom Trichoderma reesei: adsorption, sugar production pattern, andsynergism of the enzymes. Biotechnol Bioeng. 1998, 59: 621-634.).Therefore, Bacillus subtilis 6A-1 enzyme preparations offer a unique anddistinct advantage.

Example 10 Protease Assessment of Bacillus subtilis 6A-1

Prepare the following buffer solutions.

Table of Buffer Solutions pH 2 Citric Acid-Na₂ HPO₄ Preparation: Mixed89.1 mL of 0.1M Citric Acid and 10.90 mL of 0.2M Na₂ HPO₄ then solutiontitrated with 1M HCl to pH 2.0 pH 4 Citric Acid-Na₂ HPO₄ Preparation:Mixed 61.45 mL of 0.1M Citric Acid and 38.55 mL of 0.2M Na₂ HPO₄ thensolution titrated with 1M HCl to pH 4.0 pH 6 Citric Acid-Na₂ HPO₄Preparation: Mixed 36.85 mL of 0.1M Citric Acid and 63.15 mL 0.2M Na₂HPO₄ then solution titrated with 1M HCl to pH 6.0 pH 8 Na₂ HPO₄—NaH₂PO₄Preparation: Mixed 47.35 mL of 0.2M NaH₂PO₄ and 2.65 mL of 0.2M Na₂ HPO₄then solution titrated with 1M HCl to pH 8.0 pH 10 Na₂CO₃—NaHCO₃Preparation: Mixed 60 mL of 0.1M Na₂CO₃ and 40 mL 0.1M NaHCO₃ thensolution titrated to pH 10.0 pH 12 KCl—NaOH Preparation: Mixed 25 mL of0.2M KCl and 6.0 of 0.2M NaOH then diluted with water to a volume of 100mL. Rechecked pH. pH 13 KCl—NaOH Preparation: Mixed 25 mL of 0.2M KCland 66 mL of 0.2M NaOH then diluted with water to a volume of 100 mL.Rechecked pH.

The experiment was completed with the following protocol. Combined 200ul of 2% azocasein in sodium bicarbonate buffer at pH of 8.3 with 200 ulof the buffer needed to produce the required pH, and 100 ul of theBacillus subtilis 6A-1 supernatant. Prepared a standard curve usingneutral protease (BioCat) at 0, 20, 40, 60, 80, 100 protease units.Mixed vigorously and incubated the tube at 37° C. for 10 minutes. Placedtubes in icy cold water and added 500 ul of 20% trichloroacetic acid.Vortexed vigorously for 5 minutes. Centrifuged at 10000 rpm for 5minutes at 4° C. Added 500 ul of supernatant to 1 ml of 1 M NaOH andread the absorbance at 440 nm. Plotted the standard curve readings on aline graph and calculated the slope and intercept of the line produced.Utilized this line to determine the number of protease units/ul/min ofthe Bacillus subtilis 6A-1 supernatant.

The results of this experiment (FIG. 14) indicate that like carbohydraseactivity Bacillus subtilis 6A-1 has significant protease activity at awide range of pH levels. The particularly high activity level across pH6 to pH 12 is especially useful in animal feed and food since it remainsactive in the varying pH of an animal's digestive system, and is alsowhere used in a detergent.

Example 11 Ensilage Trials Measuring the Effect of Bacillus subtilis6A-1 vs Untreated Control on Ryegrass and Alfalfa

The ensilage fermentation process requires crops, grasses, legumes, andother vegetative matter to be enclosed in a relatively airtight oroxygen limiting environment. Prior to that enclosure the materialsensiled may be chopped or ground to expose surfaces of the matter and toassist in proper packing of the material. During time of the enclosureof the material, the ideal ensilage processes progresses as organic acidproducing bacteria metabolize available sugars into organic acids andsome alcohols (desirably lactic acid, acetic acid, and propionic acid).Organic acid development causes the pH of the ensiled material to bereduced. Preserved storage of the ensilage is possible when the pH ofthe material is reduced from an original pH of 6.0-7.0 to pH 4.5 orless. In order to achieve the low pH value necessary for proper storagein the quickest possible time, ensiled crops can benefit from theaddition of certain enzymes, and viable bacteria (inoculants).

During the research with Bacillus subtilis 6A-1, it was discovered thatensiled materials can be treated beneficially from the application ofthe viable Bacillus subtilis 6A-1 (or its viable spores); by theBacillus subtilis 6A-1-produced cellulolytic enzymes; or by combinationof the viable Bacillus spp. along with its enzymes.

By inoculating ensiled materials with viable Bacillus subtilis 6A-1and/or its enzymes, a more optimal preservation state may be reached. Inaddition, the resultant silage may contain higher level of organic fattyacids which have positive effect on butterfat production by lactatingdairy cows.

The data in the Table 1 below represents a compilation of experimentaldata from trials in year 1 and year 2 performed upon ensiled ryegrass.Both Bacillus subtilis 6A-1 viable cells/spores and Bacillus subtilis6A-1 enzyme containing broth extract were used to treat the ryegrasssilage. Ryegrass is a forage crop that is particularly difficult toensile commonly due to its high moisture content and possibly the lowcontent of fermentable sugars in overly matured stage of growth. It isvery important that pH levels in the ensiled crop drops rapidly to a lowlevel to ensure optimal storage condition. Procedures for theexperimental process are found below, along with an interpretation ofthe data. TMT refers to Total Mixed Ration (60% Corn, 25% SBM (Soy BeanMeal).

TABLE 1 Ryegrass Ensilage Trials TMT % Lactic acid % Acetic Acid %Mannitol pH Control³ 11.21 2.91^(a) 1.93^(a) 3.96^(a) 6A-1³ 11.012.51^(b) 2.77^(b) 3.76^(b) Control⁴ 10.66 2.24a 0.08^(a) 4.22 6A-1extract⁴ 10.88 1.79b 0.23^(b) 4.19 TMT % DM¹ loss % DMD² 8 hAmmonia-N_(ppm) Yeast* Control³ 3.74^(a) 35.39^(a) 3064^(a)  251^(a)6A-1³ 2.69^(b) 39.25^(b) 2904^(b)   33^(b) Control⁴ 2.55 55.29 3235 20893^(a) 6A-1 extract⁴ 2.44 56.37 3051   3388^(b) Superscript a and bvalues represent data points which vary by statistically significantamount (P < 0.05. ¹Dry Matter Loss (DM Loss) is a measure of the loss ofdry weight of the ensiled material lost during the ensilingfermentation. See definition below. ²DMD (Dry Matter Digestibility orDry Matter Disappearance) is a measure of the resultant digestibility ofthe feedstuffs in the animal or under animal-like conditions. The DMD ismeasured by taking a standard quantity of the dried substrate, placingit in the solution according to the procedure described below that aidsin the digestion of feedstuffs. See definition below. ³Year 1 ⁴Year 2*Represents yeast count in CFU/g-.

In year 1, Bacillus subtilis 6A-1 viable bacteria only were used totreat ensiled crop to determine effects of Bacillus subtilis 6A-1 as asilage inoculant. Viable cells of 6A-1 were dosed at approximately100,000 cfu/g (Colony Forming Units/gram) of the forage which wastreated. In year 2, Bacillus subtilis 6A-1 enzyme broth was separatedfrom the viable Bacillus subtilis 6A-1 viable cells and spores byfiltration with 0.45 μm filter, and this process yielded a bacteria-freebroth extract at an estimated enzymatic concentration described asfollows: 68 ml of 6A-1 broth with an activity level of 0.4 DNS enzymeunits per ml was added into 30 pounds of chopped ryegrass, mixed andplaced into the silos made up of PVC pipe, and the whole contents wereweighed and recorded as initial weight. The contents were allowed toferment for 33 days. After 33 days, silos were weighed and the DryMatter (DM) loss percentage was calculated for each silo by determiningthe difference between the initial and final weight of the silos anddividing that by the initial weight and multiplying by 100. Silos wereopened and representative portions representing approximately 300 grams(as sampled basis) of the fermented forage were obtained and processedfor the following values: pH, % Volatile Fatty Acids (VFA) by CapillaryElectrophoresis. Capillary Electrophoresis (CE) is an analytical toolwhich permits rapid and efficient separations of charged organic acidcomponents present in small sample volumes. Clean separations of theseorganic acids are based on the differences in electrophoretic motilitiesof ions in electrophoretic media inside small capillaries. In year 1,ryegrass was harvested at high moisture and ensiled the same day. Inyear 2, the ryegrass was allowed to wilt for 24 hours.

An 8 hour in vitro Dry Matter Digestibility (DMD) was performed on thesamples by placing 1.0 g of sample combined with DMD solution (SolutionA: CaCl₂ 2H₂O 0.1 g/L, MgSO₄ 7H₂O 0.5 g/L, NaCl 0.5 g/L, Urea 0.5 g/Land KH₂PO₄ 10 g/L and Solution B:Na₂S 9H₂O 0.4 g/L, Na₂CO₃ 6.0 g/L). Thefollowing protocol was used in the experiment. Solution B was added toSolution A until pH of 6.8 is reached). This mixture was allowed toincubate for 8 hours at 39° C. The contents were filtered through a veryfinely porous glass crucible, the residual material was washed severaltimes with distilled or deionized water, and the residual content wasdried at 100° C. for 6 hours. The difference between the original dryweight and the residual dry weight divided by the original dry weightmultiplied by 100 is considered as the percentage of dry matterdisappeared or Digestible Dry Matter (DMD). The higher the DMD, thehigher the percentage of nutrients that may be “digestible” or availableto animals; higher DMD results in positive production conditions.

Other analytical procedures were performed to assess the performance ofsilage treatments, Ammonia-N(Ammonia Nitrogen concentration), Mannitol[% concentration] and Yeast Viable Count-CFU/g (CFU/g was measured on anas-sampled basis).

The data in Table 1 shows a definite improvement in ryegrass silage(often called ryelage or haylage) treated with 6A-1 over the untreatedcontrol lot of silage. The positive effects were somewhat morenoticeable in year 1 than in year 2. More acetate (acetic acid) producedduring an ensilage fermentation is indicative of a moreheterofermentation (fermentation by heterofermentative lacticacid-forming bacteria), rather than a homofermentation which is usuallyjudged to yield silage of higher nutritional quality. Aheterofermentation could lead to more inefficient energy conservationdue to loss of more CO₂ during the ensilage fermentation (CO₂ lossaccompanies production of acetic acid). Acetic acid or acetate mayactually be good for silage bunk life, but excessive concentration inthe silage is detrimental to silage intake by ruminants. There wassignificantly less acetic acid formed during the ryegrass fermentationwhen Bacillus subtilis 6A-1 viable cells or 6A-1 enzyme-containing brothwas added at time of ensiling.

It is always positive to have a lower pH level at the end of grass orhay-type ensilage fermentation since lower pH levels will preventspoilage caused by yeast and mold, There were lower pH levels attainedwith both 6A-1 treatments of the silage; statistically the pH waslowered significantly when viable Bacillus subtilis 6A-1 was added tothe ensilage as an inoculant.

The Bacillus subtilis 6A-1 viable cells significantly depressed viableyeast content in the finished silage for the year 1 (this is a greatadvantage for silage stability).

Ammonia concentrations were numerically lower in both years with both6A-1 treatment types (significantly so for year 1 when the viable 6A-1was used as a viable inoculant). These results indicate that 6A-1prevented conversion of plant protein into inefficient and potentiallytoxic ammonia. Ammonia is the result of breakdown of amino acids inproteins releasing the ammonium moiety. Protein conservation during theensilage fermentation is essential for preserving and yielding a highnutritional quality end product.

There were increases in in vitro Dry Matter Digestibilities (DMD) bothyears in the 6A-1 treated haylage. It is likely that 6A-1 enzymespre-digest nutrients while the ensiling process continues. Analysis todetermine Dry Matter Loss indicated that the 6A-1 treated silos in bothyears of experimentation experience less loss of dry matter during theensiling process.

An alfalfa ensiling trial was executed in the same manner as describedabove, except that the forage used in the trial was alfalfa instead ofryegrass and Bacillus subtilis 6A-1 enzyme broth separated from viablecells was used as above. Alfalfa represents a particularly valuableforage crop, having high protein content. However, alfalfa is alsotypically difficult to ensile in optimal manner. The bufferingcapability of the plant contents, and low fermentable sugars found inthe crop result in silages which have only moderately reduced pH andrelatively low content of lactic acid. This phenomenon results in thepotential deterioration of alfalfa silages and unsatisfactory stabilityunder typical storage conditions. Treatment of alfalfa with Bacillussubtilis 6A-1 using dry inoculant at the rate of 2 DNS units/kilogram ofsilage, as in the ensiling trial describe above, resulted instatistically better quality resultant silage. These results arereported in the table below:

TABLE 2 Alfalfa Ensiling Trial Initial % % Dry Lactic Final % Matter TMTInitial pH Final pH Acid Lactic Acid Loss Control 5.92 4.333^(a) 0.1274.95^(a) 0.872^(a) 6A-1 Treated 5.92 4.223^(b) 0.127 6.94^(b) 0.840^(b)Superscripts ^(a) and ^(b) beside values indicate that the values arestatistically different from one another.

Viable Bacillus subtilis 6A-1, when used as an inoculant, as well as the6A-1 enzyme treatment reduced Dry Matter loss normally experiencedduring ensilage fermentations. Conservation of dry matter during theensiling process is a measure of the efficiency of the fermentativeensiling process and increased Dry Matter conservation during ensilingrepresents a great economic benefit to farmers because it means lowerfeed cost and less wastage of nutrients.

In summary, the treatment of ensiled crops either with viable Bacillussubtilis 6A-1 or with Bacillus subtilis 6A-1 enzymes at time of ensilingresults in a higher quality silage at the completion of fermentation. Atthe end of fermentation the pH of the environment increases to the pointthe bacteria cannot survive.

Example 12 In Vitro and In Vivo Studies of Effects of Bacillus subtilis6A-1 on Rumen Digestion

To determine the effects of directly feeding Bacillus subtilis 6A-1 toruminants, an in vitro digestibility study of ruminant ration and rationcomponents with and without Bacillus subtilis 6A-1 viable cells and/orenzymes was performed. Bacillus subtilis 6A-1 cells and spores wereseparated from the strain's enzymes by standard techniques ofcentrifugation or centrifugation followed by filtration through a 0.45micron filter. The enzyme-containing liquid from the bacterialfermentation forms the supernatant which can be decanted achievingseparation from Bacillus subtilis 6A-1 cells and spores. Filtrationfurther refines the enzyme extract. This separation technique is offeredas example only. Enzyme separation and purification and evenconcentration may be accomplished by other known technologies includingbut not limited to: simple membrane filtration, ultrafiltration,tangential flow technique, differential precipitation, and others.

The enzyme extract was added to an in vitro continuously operating rumenapparatus. This apparatus has been shown to mimic results obtained fromaddition of ingredients, and additives in vivo (in fistulated andunfistulated ruminating cattle). Digestion of fiber was enabled tohigher degree in the in vitro rumen as well. Positive effects in vitroare translated into achieving more efficient feed digestion inruminants. A Bacillus subtilis 6A-1 preparation produced for optimalenzyme production was added to similar apparatus along with the enzymesit produced.

Table 3 and 4 represent a compilation of data obtained from in vitrodigestibility utilizing a series of 0.25 gram samples of Corn Silage,TMR, and Hay samples were placed into in vitro tubes containing bufferat pH 6.5. TMR refers to Total Mixed Ration and the components of theration vary depending upon the animal that will be fed and the crops andfeed available. Composition of the TMR here used is described below.Approximately 20 μL of Bacillus subtilis 6A-1 broth was added to eachtube and the tubes containing the buffer previously described wereincubated at 39.5° C. for 16 hours to measure any improvements indigestibility of given feedstuffs obtained with the addition of Bacillussubtilis 6A-1 fermentation products (broth, viable cells, and/or enzymecontaining broth extract) versus digestibilities noted with untreatedcontrol samples. The liquid Bacillus subtilis 6A-1 culture was added ata comparative rate of 80 mL/head/day. In every trial Bacillus subtilis6A-1 fermentation products elicited an improvement in digestibility overthe untreated lots. These data indicate that the use of Bacillussubtilis 6A-1 in ruminant livestock diets can be expected to improvedigestibility of representative rations and feedstuffs fed the animal.Increasing efficiency of digestibility is directly related to improvingeconomic value in feeding livestock.

TABLE 3 In Vitro Digestibility¹ of Ruminant Ration and Ration ComponentsWith and Without Bacillus subtilis 6A-1 Viable Cells and/or Enzymes Typeof Hours of Control 6A-1 6A-1 6A-1 Sample Incubation No 6A-1 BrothViable Cells Enzymes Corn Silage 1 24 60.8 67.36 Corn Silage 2 12 55.0856.32 Corn Silage 3 24 64.89 66.8 Hay 16 55.2 56.71 Total Mixed 16 56.5658.2 59.24 Ration² (TMR) ¹All Digestibility values are in %. Thedifference between the final and initial weight of the TMR sampledivided by the initial weight and multiplied by 100 yielded thedigestibility values. ²The composition of the TMR was follows: 60% CS,15% Alfalfa Haylage, 15% Corn, and 10% SBM)

Volatile Fatty Acid (VFA) development in the rumen of livestock is anindicator of the manner in which the hydrolyzed sugars are fermented soas to enable them to be absorbed for efficient animal assimilation.Furthermore, there is a positive relationship between VFA development,energy produced from a fed animal ration, and in lactating cattle, thebutterfat produced in milk yielded. The total VFA values measured for6A-1 treatments showed an appreciably increased value for total VFAproduced over the Control. Expressed on an as-is basis, the 6A-1 groupof treatments show increases in total VFA development from the rations.

All of these factors are positive, and indicate that the addition ofBacillus subtilis 6A-1 can have positive nutritional effects on thedigestion of feedstuffs in ruminants.

TABLE 4 In Vitro Analysis¹ of Ruminant Rations for Volatile Fatty AcidDevelopment With and Without Treatment with Bacillus subtilis 6A-1Viable Cell and Enzyme Type of VFA² Control 6A-1 6A-1 Sample Types No6A-1³ Viable Cells Enzymes Hay Acetate 57.34 57.91 57.57 Propionate25.66 24.72 24.64 Sum VFA 51.43 69.2 73.2 (μM/mL) Total Mixed Acetate54.54 55.99 53.14 Ration⁴ (TMR) Propionate 31.66 30.9 31.58 Sum VFA51.96 59.54 60.62 (μM/mL) ¹See procedure for in vitro analysis and VFAanalysis: IVDMD, Tilley, J. M. A. and R. A. Terry. 1963. A two stagetechnique for the in vitro digestion of forage crops. J. Brit. Grassl.Soc. 8: 104. For VFA, Erwin, E. S., G. J. Marco and E. M. Emory. 1961.Volatile fatty acid analysis of blood and rumen fluid by gaschromatography. J. Dairy Sci. 44: 1768 ²VFA = Volatile Fatty Acid ³AllVFA values are in moles/100 mL ⁴The composition of the TMR was asfollows: 60% CS, 15% Alfalfa Haylage, 15% Corn, and 10% SBM)

The effect of Bacillus subtilis 6A-1 on ruminant and swine rations wereassessed in the following manner. A 1.0 gram sample of the Total MixedRation (60% Corn, 25% SBM (Soy Bean Meal) and 10% DDG (Dried Distiller'sGrains)) was incubated at 39.5° C. with 120 mL of each buffer (buffersolutions found in Enzyme Activity in Polysaccharides) at the recordedpH, and 0.1 g of Bacillus subtilis 6A-1 culture produced upon semi-solidsubstrate was added. Incubation of the enzyme-bearing culture ofBacillus subtilis 6A-1 with the rations specified was arrested after 60minutes by immersion in a 0° C. ice bath. The sample was filteredthrough 0.45 micron filter and the filtered liquid was subjected tocellulase activity assay (found in Cellulase and Amylase enzyme ActivityDetermination) to measure the sugars liberated from the rations.

The information in FIG. 15 is from incubating Bacillus subtilis 6A-1enzyme containing broth at 50 μL level with Swine-type diet containing60% Corn, 25% SBM (Soy Bean Meal) and 10% DDG (Dried Distiller'sGrains). These results indicate that 6A-1 is effective in digesting atypical swine-type ration over the very broad pH range of 2-13.

The FIG. 16 represents the use of Bacillus subtilis 6A-1enzyme-containing fermentation product, produced by semi-solid culturingmethod. The method for production is described below. Theenzyme-containing material was added to a ration suitable for a ruminanttype diet. A total mixed ration (TMR) was utilized. This typical TMRcontained corn silage, alfalfa haylage, ground corn and mineralsupplement. These results indicate that 6A-1 is effective in digesting atypical ruminant-type ration over the very broad pH range of 3-12.

Semi-solid fermentation production of Bacillus subtilis 6A-1 enzyme andviable cell containing fermentation product was produced in thefollowing manner. 800 ml of distilled water was added to 1000 g of WheatBran (from Bob's Red Mill) along with 200 ml of 0.1 M potassium pH 7.0phosphate buffer. In the liquid addition was suspended or dissolved: 20g CaCO₃, 41 g CaCl₂ dihydrate and 6.29 g MnCl₂*4H₂O. The moistened branmixture was spread into 9×13 inch trays and covered with aluminum foil.The trays were autoclaved for 15 min at 121° C. and 15 psi.

The semi-solid medium so prepared was cooled to less than 40° C. and wasinoculated with 35 ml of vegetative Bacillus subtilis 6A-1 broth(prepared as above) and incubated at 37° C. for 24 hours. The semi-solidfermentation product thus prepared was then dried 18 hours at 54° C. toless than 15% moisture. The resulting dry material was utilized in theanimal feeding trial and in results reported as semi-solid wheat mediaor SSWM.

Dry semi-solid product of Bacillus subtilis 6A-1 (SSWM) was rehydrated(1 g in 50 ml of distilled H₂O) and held at room temperature for 10 min.The rehydrated mixture was filtered using 3 layers of cheesecloth thenthe filtrate was further filtered through a 0.45μ filter. The 6A-1aqueous extract was then used in studies which specify the use ofBacillus subtilis 6A-1 semi-solid material either in dry granular formor in aqueous extracted form.

In vitro research has been supported by in vivo feeding trials whichfurther prove the efficacy of Bacillus subtilis 6A-1 addition to dietsof livestock. In the table below data is reported for the dry matterdigestibility (DMD) from a trial using 12 lambs per treatment averaging28 pounds each in weight. All groups were fed a Total Mixed Ration (TMR)composed of corn silage, haylage, and minerals/vitamin supplement. Theanimals were placed in collection crates for a 3 day adjustment periodprior to the beginning of the trial. All animals had been exposed to thebasal TMR diet used for more than 30 days.

Approximately, 1.0 gram of Bacillus subtilis 6A-1 produced by thesemi-solid production method described above was fed after the mixturewas ground through 4 mm screen to allow homogeneous sampling of the 6A-1preparation. The 1.0 gram of 6A-1 preparation was mixed into the TMRthoroughly, and specific amounts were fed twice a day to each animal.All animals were fed ad libitum to prevent any limitation that may skewnatural intake tendencies.

Feed, feed refusals and fecal samples were collected during the five daycollection. Samples were frozen until the end of trial, then analyzed.The amount of feed (wet weight) fed, the feed refused and the amount ofwet fecal weights were recorded daily during the collection period, andthese weights were converted to dry weights after determining the drymatter contents of each sample.

Analysis of the residual waste from the sheep-fed trial was performedand compared to quantitative amounts of original ration ingested duringthe trial described above. The feeding trial yielded data which isreported in the table below (all values stated are in %):

TABLE 5 Residual Waste Analysis of In Vivo Sheep fed Bacillus subtilis6A-1 Dry Matter Neutral Det. (in vivo)¹ Fiber² ADF³ Hemicellulose⁴Digestibility Digestibility Digestibility Digestibility Control 65.340.4 36.1 46.43 6A-1 Treated 66.19 44.29 40.99 48.99 ¹The percent DryMatter Digestibility (DMD) in vivo was calculated by subtracting fromTotal Dry Feed fed/day the total dry feed refused (which was the ActualFeed Intake) minus total dry fecal weights. The value obtained wasdivided by the Actual Feed Intake multiplied by 100. ²The percentageNeutral Detergent Fiber (NDF) Digestibility was determined by comparingingested feed with analysis of the manure collected in similar fashionto that calculation for Total Dry Matter Digestibility reported above(In determining NDF values, a neutral detergent solution is used todissolve the easily digested pectins and plant cell contents (proteins,sugars, and lipids); leaving a fibrous residue (aNDF) that is primarilycell wall components of plants (cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin).Detergent is used to solubilize the proteins and sodium sulfite alsohelps remove some nitrogenous matter; EDTA is used to chelate calciumand remove pectins at boiling temperatures; triethylene glycol helps toremove some non-fibrous matter from concentrate feeds; and heat-stableamylase is used to remove starch. Two additions of amylase (one duringrefluxing and one during filtration) have been observed to aid NDFanalyses and minimize filtering difficulties. Heat-stable amylases areused in hot solutions to inactivate potential contaminating enzymes thatmight degrade fibrous constituents (AOAC Official Method 2002.04Amylase-Treated Neutral Detergent Fiber in Feeds). NDF is the mostcommon measure of fiber used for animal feed analysis, but it does notrepresent a unique class of chemical compounds. NDF measures most of thestructural components in plant cells (e.g. lignin, hemicellulose andcellulose). ³The percentage Acid Detergent Fiber (ADF) Digestibility wasdetermined by comparing ingested feed with the analysis of the manurecollected in similar fashion to that calculation for Total Dry MatterDigestibility reported above. Values for ADF were determined by the ADFmethodology outlined above. ⁴The percentage Hemicellulose Digestibilitywas determined by comparing ingested feed with the analysis of themanure collected in similar fashion to that calculation for Total DryMatter Digestibility reported above. Hemicellulose content is defined asthe residue extracted when an NDF residue is subjected to boiling AcidDetergent Solution (as specified in the ADF procedure) for one hour. (%NDF − % ADF = % Hemicellulose)

Higher comparative DMD values in a feeding trial with variations in feedwould describe a situation where the test animal(s) are able to digestand assimilate feed to a comparatively greater degree. Thuscomparatively higher DMD values in a feeding trial are desirable andindicate that a feed composition has higher degree of feeding value. DMDfor the treated feed was appreciably higher than for the Control feeds.This provides for more efficient feeding for the livestock producer whouses Bacillus subtilis 6A-1 preparations mixed in feed.

In a livestock feeding program, efforts are made to increase the DryMatter Digestibility of feed, and more recently greater efforts areconcentrated in achieving better digestibility of the fiber portions ofthe feed such as NDF, ADF, and Hemicellulose. The higher the values, thebetter the efficiency of dry matter intake, healthy rumen functions withruminants, and optimized milk components such as percent milk butter fatand percent milk proteins.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of producing a composition capable ofdegrading at least one polysaccharide, the method comprising, a)culturing strain Bacillus subtilis 6A-1 (6A-1), reference culturecomprising said 6A-1 having been deposited at ATCC under deposit numberPTA-125135, such that said 6A-1 produces at least twopolysaccharide-degrading protein fractions; b) a process selected from(i) filtering or drying or freeze drying or grinding, or adding at leastone excipient, carrier or diluent to said 6A-1 strain or cells or sporesof said 6A-1 or (ii) extracting at least one polysaccharide-degradingprotein fraction from said 6A-1, or iii) a combination thereof and c)producing a composition comprising said strain, cells, spores or atleast one polysaccharide-degrading protein fraction extraction of b), ora combination thereof.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein saidcomposition comprises at least three cellulose-degrading proteinfractions produced by said 6A-1, said protein fractions capable ofdegrading crystalline cellulose, carboxymethyl cellulose and unmodifiedcellulose.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein said composition is capableof degrading protein at a pH of 2 to
 12. 4. The method of claim 1,wherein said 6A-1 is an asporogenous mutant of said 6A-1.
 5. The methodof claim 1, wherein said composition is capable of degrading celluloseunder conditions from pH 2 to pH
 13. 6. The method of claim 1, whereinsaid composition is capable of degrading acid detergent fiber.
 7. Themethod of claim 1, wherein said 6A-1 is cultured at a temperature ofless than 55° C.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein said 6A-1 is culturedat a temperature of 30°-35° C.
 9. The method of claim 1, wherein said6A-1 is cultured in a liquid or semi-solid medium.
 10. A method ofproducing an edible composition for an animal, the method comprising, a)culturing strain Bacillus subtilis 6A-1 (6A-1), reference culturecomprising said 6A-1 having been deposited at ATCC under deposit numberPTA-125135 such that said 6A-1 produces at least twopolysaccharide-degrading protein fractions; b) a process selected from(i) filtering or drying or freeze drying or grinding, or adding at leastone excipient, carrier or diluent to said 6A-1 strain or cells or sporesof said 6A-1 or (ii) extracting at least one polysaccharide-degradingprotein fraction from said 6A-1, or iii) a combination thereof; and c)producing an edible composition selected from (i) a compositioncomprising said strain, cells, spores or at least onepolysaccharide-degrading protein fraction or combination thereof of b);or (ii) a composition comprising one or more plants or plant partsfermented with said strain, cells spores or at least onepolysaccharide-degrading protein fraction or combination thereof of b)until said fermentation is complete.
 11. The method of claim 10, whereinb) comprises drying said 6A-1 strain, cells, spores or at least onepolysaccharide-degrading protein fraction or combination thereof andfurther comprises spraying said dried strain cells, spores or at leastone polysaccharide-degrading protein fraction or combination thereofonto one or more plants or plant parts.
 12. The method of claim 10,comprising producing a probiotic edible composition comprising saidstrain, cells, spores or at least one polysaccharide-degrading proteinfraction or combination thereof of b).
 13. A method of feeding ananimal, the method comprising, a) culturing strain Bacillus subtilis6A-1 (6A-1), reference culture comprising said 6A-1 having beendeposited at ATCC under deposit number PTA-125135 such that said 6A-1produces at least two polysaccharide-degrading protein fractions; b) aprocess selected from (i) filtering or drying or freeze drying orgrinding, or adding at least one excipient, carrier or diluent to said6A-1 strain or cells or spores of said 6A-1 or (ii) extracting at leastone polysaccharide-degrading protein fraction from said 6A-1, or iii) acombination thereof; c) feeding said animal an edible compositionselected from, (i) said strain, cells, spores or at least onepolysaccharide-degrading protein fraction or combination thereof of b);or (ii) a composition comprising one or more plants or plant partsfermented with said strain, cells spores or at least onepolysaccharide-degrading protein fraction or combination thereof of b)until said fermentation is complete.
 14. The method of claim 13, whereinsaid polysaccharide degrading protein fractions retain saidpolysaccharide degrading activity at a pH of 2 to
 13. 15. The method ofclaim 13, wherein said animal is selected from a lactating animal,ruminant, lactating ruminant, poultry, swine, equine, canine, feline, orrabbit.
 16. The method of claim 13, wherein said edible compositioncomprises said plants or plant parts.
 17. The method of claim 16,wherein dry matter digestibility, neutral detergent digestibility, aciddetergent fiber digestibility or hemicellulose digestibility or acombination thereof of said edible composition is increased after saidfermentation is complete.
 18. The method of claim 16, wherein lacticacid is lower, pH is lower, or ammonia concentration lower, or acombination thereof of said edible composition after said fermentationis complete.
 19. The method of claim 1, wherein said strain, cells,spores or at least one polysaccharide-degrading protein fraction isdried or freeze dried.
 20. The method of claim 1, wherein saidcomposition comprises said strain.
 21. The method of claim 1, whereinsaid composition comprises said cells or spores.
 22. The method of claim1, wherein said at least one excipient, carrier or diluent is edible.23. The method of claim 1, wherein said composition is edible.